Reviving a Grade II*-listed church

The Church of St Thomas and St Luke, is better known as ‘Top Church’ for its position at the peak of Dudley High Street’s hill. Suffering from a dwindling congregation and lack of investment, by 2014 the church was in a state of significant disrepair and was placed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

Donald Insall Associates was appointed in 2018 to produce a feasibility study for its renewal, funded by the Church of England’s Strategic Development Fund. The aim was to create a ‘Resourcing Church’ which could provide resources to the whole parish. Subsequently, we led a re-ordering project to transform the church’s interior. Works included the removal of pews, the creation of level floors throughout and glazed rooms to either side of the chancel. This spaces now accommodate a step-free welcome area and a creche. Back-of-house spaces including the vestry were overhauled to provide areas that enhance community support. Heating, lighting and audio-visual systems have been seamlessly integrated to improve sustainability and support musical performance and worship.

Expert repairs

NLHF funding was then secured for a second phase of repair works. Also led by DIA, who also authored a Conservation Management Plan, works included repairs to the high-level masonry of the parapets of the church, and conservation of the corroded cast iron traceries using a method developed in a trial repair project, funded by Historic England. Most significantly, a repairs were carried out to the painted stained glass of the east window – the last surviving work by renowned artist Joseph Backler. Badly damaged during WWII, the window had also been victim to unsympathetic repairs. Many panes had to be remade, with artists copying the style of Backler. The result is a masterful restoration of this important work which is a great source of pride to the Black Country.

The future of the church has now been secured and the refreshed building can support the revitalised and growing congregation.