Church restoration and repair specialists

Church Restoration and Repair

For over 145 years, Bakers has repaired, conserved and adapted churches and ecclesiastical buildings across Essex and the surrounding counties. As experienced church restoration and repair specialists, our work ranges from single repair items flagged in a Quinquennial Inspection through to major reordering and refurbishment schemes. We combine traditional craft skills with modern construction methods to keep historic churches in good repair and active use.

The scope of our church restoration and repair work includes:

Quinquennial Church Repairs

We carry out church repairs identified through Quinquennial Inspections, working with architects and church teams to prioritise the most urgent items and plan phased programmes of work that fit a church’s budget and timescale.

Typical church repair requirements include roof coverings and rainwater goods, masonry and flint repointing, timber decay in roofs and bell frames, damp and ventilation issues, failing render and lime plaster, and repairs to towers and spires.

Church Conservation and Restoration

We carry out church restoration, conservation and structural repairs that help keep the church protected. Our projects include:

Roof and tower repairs: Repairing and replacing roof coverings and leadwork, restoring towers and spires, and addressing structural timber decay.
Stonemasonry, flint work and repointing: Repairing historic brickwork, stonemasonry repairs and carving, flint work and stone façades using traditional materials and breathable lime mortar.
Structural repairs: Carrying out underpinning, structural repairs and timber repairs to address movement, deterioration and damage to historic buildings.
Ecclesiastical joinery and heritage features: Providing bespoke joinery and conserving historical features such as stained glass and leaded windows.

Church Reordering and Modernisation

Our reordering work includes new kitchens, accessible toilets, heating upgrades and underfloor heating, electrical improvements, internal alterations and church extensions. We also provide bespoke joinery, such as oak panelling and cabinetry, to create flexible worship spaces and storage that sits within the building’s architectural history.

The focus is on helping churches adapt their spaces to meet the needs of their congregations and wider communities, while ensuring the historic building is protected and respected.

An Experienced Church Restoration Team

In-House Trades and Conservation Partners

Bakers employs its own heritage trades directly rather than relying on subcontractors for specialist church restoration work. Our in-house team includes stonemasons, joiners, heritage carpenters, roofers, lime plaster specialists and conservation craftsmen, supported by our own joinery workshop.

Where a church restoration or repair project calls for expertise beyond our core trades, we work with approved specialist subcontractors, including stained glass specialists, decorators and architectural conservators.

Project Management and Communication

Having these skills under one roof means we can coordinate a project from church repair and conservation through to reordering, while keeping workmanship consistent throughout. We manage every project closely, from initial site surveys through to regular site visits, working alongside the client and other professionals involved to keep communication clear at every stage.

Working with Architects and Church Communities

We work alongside architects, contract administrators and church representatives, coordinating closely at every stage of a church restoration or repair project, from the initial specification through to completion.

Supporting Fundraising and Community Engagement

We recognise that many church projects are supported by fundraising, grants and the generosity of the local community. Where appropriate, we are happy to support engagement by hosting guided site tours or open days, giving congregations, donors and visitors the opportunity to see the conservation work taking place and gain an insight into the traditional skills and craftsmanship involved in caring for historic church buildings.

Minimising Disruption During Church Repairs

We also recognise that churches can often remain active places of worship and community hubs throughout a construction project. We ensure careful planning and communication so that church repair and restoration work can be carried out safely while allowing church life to continue wherever possible.