West Wall Revive Celebration for North Devon Community
— 23 Feb 2026
Architect Helena Sarney was delighted to join the congregation of St Philip & St James’s Church in Ilfracombe last month, for a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the West Wall Revive project.
The project involved essential repairs to the very exposed West Wall of the Grade II* listed church, where the limestone windows have been battered by ferocious salt-laden wind and rain. The church was built only 200m from the sea specifically to serve the local harbour community and overwintering sailors. This maritime environment, coupled with an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms, has created ongoing issues with water penetration. The limestone window tracery had degraded beyond repair and the external protective glazing, although effective in protecting the original stained glass, had accelerated the deterioration of the stonework.
Jonathan Rhind Architects assisted the church in gaining a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant which together with funds raised by the PCC, allowed for works to go ahead. Wells Cathedral Stonemasons carved new tracery and mullions for the windows using limestone carefully selected for carving and durability, and specialist conservation glaziers Heritage Stained Glass and Dan Humphries Stained Glass sensitively restored the historic stained glass and made new external protective glazing which was installed in the original groove to restore architectural articulation, improve ventilation and reduce water ingress to the surrounding stone.
As well as work to the windows, the entire west elevation was repointed as there were fine cracks to the cement pointing. The interior was replastered on lathes with a ventilated gap behind the wall to isolate the internal plaster from water that penetrates the entire depth of the wall; which has been happening in the increasingly wet winters due to climate change.
The project also included enhancing facilities for the local community, such as the addition of ramps to ensure accessibility; a new balustrade for safety; and the installation of a servery and children’s area.
Helena undertook a key role in the technical design and contract administration element of the project, liaising with the PCC, the main contractor and specialist heritage consultants. Overseeing the project was Jonathan Rhind, who has been Conservation Architect for the Church for 30 years, and has been in regular dialogue with the PCC over works needed and the performance of various campaigns of repair during the years.
The Bishop of Exeter, Michael Harrison, joined Reverend Mark Ruoff and Associate Vicar Tandy Ruoff for the special Benefice service, which was a fitting culmination of the works to the much-loved church.
To read more technical detail about the repair work undertaken, please see our previous blog here.
