The Most Holy Sacrament and St Osburg, Coventry
The Church of the Most Holy Sacrament and St Osburg was consecrated in 1845. It is a substantial building constructed from Marston granite with the stone for internal features sourced locally from a quarry in Exhall. In 1940 the whole of the chancel and roof of the nave were destroyed during the blitz. After years of rebuilding work, the church was officially reopened in 1952.
Midland Conservation were commissioned to carry out extensive re-ordering of the interior of the Church. Work began by removing the existing pews and other fittings which were taken away to be restored. The existing floor coverings were also removed along with redundant mechanical and electrical installations.
One of the first tasks undertaken was to remove the paint from the stone columns and arches to the nave. This was achieved using the DOF cleaning system (see services page). Once the stone features had been returned to their former glory work began to the floor of the church. The existing concrete floor slab was broken out and re-laid. A full internal scaffold was then erected within the church to allow all other surfaces including the lime plasterwork to the walls and timber roof and ceiling structure to be cleaned and decorated. Carved details such as the shield bearing angels were decorated and gilded.
Once the scaffolding had been dismantled the pipes for the gas fired underfloor heating system were laid followed by a layer of screed. Limestone tiles were laid to the Sanctuary and Lady Chapel floors and ceramic Minton style tiles were laid to the remaining areas of the church floor.
Whilst these works were being undertaken internally our stonemasons were busy outside the church carving a new altar and pulpit.