Published: 15/06/2026
Updated: 04/08/2026
Old St Matthew’s tower is all that remains of a Georgian church demolished in 1971. Whilst regrettably the main church building could not be saved, our founder Ivor Bulmer-Thomas recognised the architectural merit of the church and fought diligently for the attached tower to be spared in the demolition. Now, fifty-four years later, we returned, clothed the tower in scaffolding and got to grips with the scourge of many 18th-century buildings: corroding iron cramps. These cramps were cracking open the masonry and threatening the stability of Lightcliffe’s landmark.
The stone repairs to the tower cupola, which comprises a stone lantern, dome and ball finial, were complex. Working at a great height and exposed to the elements made this work even more challenging - and we didn't know what condition it was in until we were up there.
This has been a staggeringly complex project, beset with bad weather (working at that height in snow and rain is not enjoyable) and break-ins. The most challenging elements are now complete and we look forward to the tower reopening later in the summer.
In addition to the stonework, we also renewed two levels of floors inside where the timber had rotted, and are introducing stair access. This will enable visitors to travel up through the levels to see the conserved monuments, benefaction boards, and the foundation stone from the 16th-century church.
Works like these at Old St Matthew's are funded by the generous support of our members and donors. Without your support, none of this would be possible.
To find out more about this project, you can watch our video with architect, Kynan Simmons of SimmonsSheriff, our contractor Gary Payne of GPM Ripon Ltd and Skillington Workshop conservators, David Carrington and Laura Parker.
To see the results of their efforts, join the local Friends' Group at the Open Days at the tower on the 1st and 2nd of August 2026.
In conjunction with the repairs, we have also produced a new guide to the tower, which you can read here.
