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Clarke Roofing re-slated St Luke's Church in Southsea, a Neo-Norman Grade II listed church built of flint and stone. Our carpenters and slaters reshaped the curved Apse roof so it runs into the nave without a step, then re-roofed the entire church in new heather blue Welsh slate from Penrhyn Quarry. This case study covers the roof layout, why the church needed re-slating, the Apse alterations and the finished roof.
St Luke's Church in Southsea is a Neo-Norman Grade II listed building, built of flint and stone with a Welsh slate roof. The roof required substantial re-roofing, and Clarke Roofing was appointed to carry out the works, which our team completed using Welsh slate.
The roof of St Luke's is made up of several sections.
The church had been completely re-slated in 1996, reusing the existing sound slates together with approximately 30% new Welsh slates. Unfortunately, the existing slates continued to deteriorate significantly, so the decision was made to re-slate the nave including the dormers, the Apse, the north and south aisles, the boiler room and the south porch roof.
The most complex part of the project was the curved Apse roof, which forms part of the upper roof on the north and south elevations. The existing roof had a step where the Apse met the nave, formed as a verge and weathered with soakers and lead flashing.
Our carpenters and slaters removed the step so that the curved slate roof of the Apse now continues across the nave elevations without a break.
Once the alterations to the Apse roof were complete, the entire church was re-roofed in all new heather blue Welsh slate from Penrhyn Quarry. Welsh slate is one of the best roofing slates available, and its high resistance to acid and other chemicals makes it extremely durable. Find out more about our slating work.
The scaffolding came down in February 2022, leaving St Luke's with a complete new Welsh slate roof and a continuous curved Apse. The accompanying photographs show the attention to detail carried through every stage of the project, and everyone at St Luke's said they were thankful "to everyone who has done an amazing job over the last 6 months".
Our heritage restoration work for churches and cathedrals also includes Portsmouth Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Hamsey Church, Wadhurst Church and St Mary Magdalene Church.
Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd is a family business that has served the South East since 1949 and is now in its third generation. We cover Sussex, Surrey, East Hampshire, Kent and South London, working with homeowners, architects, local authorities, diocesan bodies, The National Trust and building contractors. Our wider services include slating, tiling, flat roofing, lead, copper and cast iron work, rooflights, carpentry, heritage restoration and construction as main contractor, for both domestic and commercial clients.
We are accredited by the NFRC, Competent Roofer, Constructionline Gold, CHAS, SafeContractor, TrustMark and the Lead Contractors Association, and hold ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification. All new projects and re-roofs carry a minimum 10 year guarantee, and we do not ask for advance deposits. Read what our clients say in our testimonials.
If you are responsible for the roof of a church or listed building, our team can survey it and give you clear advice with an uncomplicated quotation. Get in touch or call 01323 640777 to arrange a survey.
