Damning Architect Report for St Matthew's Church

A Damning Architect Report for St Matthew's Church

By Angela Gooch on February 18th, 2009

St Matthew’s Church
Architect’s Report on the Structure 1901

The Church Building Committee a few weeks since engaged Messrs. W. and C. A. Bassett-Smith, architects of London, to examine and report upon the condition of St. Matthew’s Church with a view to its completion. The following is their report which was received by the Rector (Rev, W. Disney) a few days since :-
Drummond Chambers,
10, john Street, Adelphi,
London, W.C.

Dear Sir, —In accordance with your request we have inspected S. Matthew’s Church, Skegness, and beg to report its follows :—The Church owing to the bad sub-soil has undoubtedly settled considerably, especially at the east and west ends of the Nave. The settlement at the west end is caused by the tower, which has sunk bodily in spite of the care taken with its foundations and it has dragged down the west end of the nave. The tower is a little out of the upright but nothing serious and unless the weight is increased may not move again. The east wall of the nave has sunk considerably owing to the weight being thrown upon the pins of the chancel arch, This also may have found its bearing and not move again. There are other settlements both on the body of the church and chancel but not such serious ones. After making very careful enquiries we find that the settlements do not appear to have taken place recently nor to be increasing, and we are of opinion that the Church will not settle further except in the case of an extremely dry summer. This it is impossible to prevent without incurring very great expense. The plastering inside the Church is very defective indeed, and makes the Church appear to be in a far worse condition than is really the case. This is a great pity.

We would advise :-
1.—That all defective and open joints be care. fully cleared out and pointed up, and the cracks bonded across as required and run in solid.
2.—That all defective plastering be hacked off, the walls made good, and the plastering properly renewed. The external facing is very defective in places. This should be made good, also the eaves, gutters and down pipes.
3.–That the chancel steps be re-arranged and the floors completed and proper seats provided.
4.—That the tile floors be made good and relaid where necessary.
a.—That the organ be moved so as to allow the organist to enter from the vestry and the upper parts of the fronts towards chancel and aisle be brought more forward.
6.—The question of how to finish the tower had better remain in obeyance for a little while, as unless more accommodation is ready needed it would be a great pity to lengthen the body of the Church to any extent and so spoil the proportions. We should also like to see whether there is any further settlement before completing the west end. It is quite certain too that it would not be safe to carry out the original deign as any increase in weight will cause fresh settlements and still further disfigure the Church.
7.—The doors all open inwards, and if there should at any time be a panic the result might
be serious.
We are, dear sir,
Yours faithfully,
W. & C, A. BASSETT- SMITH.
To the Rev. W. Disney.