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Extracts from the Report of the Anglican Archdeacon of Stoke on Trent to the Diocesan
Registrar of the Diocese of Lichfield at the end of the Faculty year
(A legal requirement to show our compliance with Faculty jurisdiction and the terms of the Lease)The church is indeed being used for public worship. The members of the Orthodox
congregation are in good heart and have recently taken on seven additional families with
resulting baptisms and weddings!
In general terms the building is being very well looked after. Indeed I would say that the
building is considerably improved on what it was 12 months ago. Some basic repairs have
been undertaken, a considerable amount of damp has been dealt with.
More than this, an expert in Minton tiles (Carr Restoration) has become involved. They
have offered free labour to undertake this very specialised work on these very special
Minton tiles.
Now that carpeting has been removed and the problems of damp dealt with they are in the
process of carrying out significant improvements on these tiles not only in the chancel but
also in the nave (like for like repair).
The result of removing some of the pews in the choir has been that they are lowering the
floor to tile level rather than raising it by the addition of a wooden platform. The effect is
very pleasing.
The iconostasis was duly constructed and put in place for Christmas. Since then it has been
both stained an appropriate colour and decorated with Orthodox Icons. The communion
rail works well as a cresting to the screen.
The south altar has been re-sited.
The pulpit and the lectern are placed in the north aisle appropriately.
Before they moved out, the PCC sold the three westerly pews and some of the choir
furniture from the chancel has been placed there in its stead. The floor appears to be in
good condition and does not at the moment constitute a priority for any work.
The Bishop’s chair has been placed in the nave on a small raised platform. One of the
clergy desks is now used as the Bishop’s seat in the chancel.
The proposed glazed screen is a long term project and will not be undertaken at the
moment.
It is likely that a revised design will in due course be proposed involving a more solid
structure with glazed doors. (The more interesting and more important issue is that the
Orthodox would like to create around the walls of this room at the west of the church a
history of the Church of the Resurrection displaying diagrams, photographs and other
memorabilia to indicate its Anglican heritage. I am very impressed about this element in
the care being offered by the Orthodox congregation, building on but not denying its
Anglican past. Jane Corfield at the City of Stoke conservation department is equally
impressed and grateful).
A major financial expenditure to date has been to introduce polycarbonate protection for
the west window thus allowing the anti-vandalism boarding (which has covered up the
window for the last quarter of a century) to be removed. This instantly allows daylight to
pour into the church and also takes away the impression given to local people that the
church was in fact derelict.
This has coincided with the City Council taking over the care of the churchyard. This latter
is now beautifully maintained.
The overall effect therefore (combined with a daily search for any litter in the churchyard
carried out over the last 2 years by a member of the orthodox congregation) means that
the place looks in excellent condition.
They have pointed the chimney by the door into the back vestry and kitchen. This has
prevented water accumulating on the floor. With the removal of carpets and other
materials, the building is now drying out. This in turn has removed some unpleasant odours
from that part of the building.
In due course they hope to replace some of the Victorian rolled glass in the west window.
This no longer made in England but in Poland where exact replication can be obtained.
However the cost will be considerable and the church does not have the funds at the
moment to do this work (The NSHCT funded the existing work mentioned above).
There is a certain amount of woodworm in the building and this is requiring continual
checking.
The organ vestry: there are a number of artificial organ pipes which they propose to attach
to the north wall of the church as a possible decorative feature. As an alternative to
replacing them in their previous position this is worthy of consideration.
I note with interest that much of the work they have done has been offered free of labour
charges… including the iconostasis.
Conclusion
I am in contact with the church architect through whom I am given guidance about the
work before it is undertaken. My meeting with Father Samuel was thoroughly positive and
in summary I think the church is in very good hands. Their preferred next piece of work
would be to clean the interior of the church building, but again this is a matter currently
beyond their financially ability.
