St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Preston is in need of major repairs after being severely damaged by wet rot. Documents submitted to Preston City Council outline the extensive work required to address the water damage, which has affected various parts of the building, including the roof, drainage system, and stonework. The repairs will involve replacing gutters, improving drainage, repairing or replacing roof sections, and addressing the deteriorated stonework.
A historic church in Preston is facing extensive repairs due to severe wet rot damage. Documents submitted to Preston City Council reveal the extent of the problems at St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also known as St. Ignatius Church. Inspections carried out in September last year highlighted significant water damage, particularly in the drainage system where the cathedral's distinctive spire meets the tower parapet.
This has led to concerns about the building's watertightness.The report also points to widespread rot in the vestry roof caused by years of water ingress and failing gutters, raising questions about the roof's structural integrity. The roof over the south porch has completely collapsed, affecting the supporting joists. The planned repairs aim to restore the building to a stable and watertight condition. These include replacing gutters, improving water discharge capacity, replacing some slates on the roof, installing new lead flashing, repairing deteriorating stonework, and rebuilding some stone pinnacles. The timber flooring in the tower will also be replaced, and the church cross will be securely refixed with new stainless steel fittings. The initial assessment report following last year's inspections revealed that entire roof timbers in some areas were saturated and decayed with wet rot where water had seeped into the building. Wall plaster was also affected by damp, resulting in unsightly blistering and mould. Wet rot fungus was also identified in several locations. The report concluded that all inspected areas displayed some form of problem or decay, potentially requiring the replacement of entire roofs rather than localized repairs.The church, previously part of the Diocese of Lancaster, closed briefly in 2014 due to a declining congregation. However, it reopened in 2015 for the local Syro-Malabar community of Indian Catholics. Pope Francis conferred cathedral status on the church in 2016.
Preston Cathedral St. Alphonsa Wet Rot Repairs Heritage Church
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