HPA have been appointed as the Church Architects for the last 10 years of this special Church in Scotforth. We have assisted with QI reports and detailed repairs, roof investigations throughout the tower and conducted monitoring reports on the Rose Window.
St Paul’s Scotforth, is known as one of the ‘Pots’ Churches of Sharpe, Paley and Austin Architects as it was one of three experimental terracotta designs for the practice who are praised for being one of the best ‘provincial architectural practices in the late Victorian and Edwardian period’ (Brandwood, 2012).
HPA are currently supporting the Church in their bid to fund raise for a new roof and extensive repairs to the fabric. St Pauls Scotforth was built in 1194 and was extensively remodelled by Edmond Sharpe in 1874 and then 3 bays were added by Paley and Austin in 1891.
This Church is very unusual for the Lancaster area which is dominated by stone and neogothic buildings. The style of the Church is Romanesque which was unfashionable at the time (Brandwood, 2012) but set out in an arrangement with no central aisle. There are many protestant/ low Church features which we understand are to reflect the change in circumstances and political statement of the village of Scotforth and the architect’s own personal beliefs. This is relevant because the use of ceramics and brick reflects this position and makes a statement both politically and architecturally.
HPA have been using many modern architecture systems including BIM and Revit to allow us to record and review the Church. Alongside our expertise with many years of experience as Church Architects to help inform how best to repair St Paul’s in the future.
