St Mark's, Shelton

St Mark's stands in one of Stoke's most deprived neighbourhoods. The church is more than a building, but a lifeline and social space, offering food, belonging and support. Protecting the church meant also protecting the community that depends on it.

With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our role was to stabilise the building, safeguard its fabric and make the church a community asset once more. Through the 'Under One Roof' project, we led a phased programme of inspection, repair and conservation. We addressed critical weaknesses in stone masonry, roof coverings, rainwater management, interior plaster and the iconic clock faces of St Mark's tower. All were essential to keep St Mark's watertight and structurally sound.

But conservation at St Mark's had to be led by a dynamic approach.We kept the authenticity of the original architecture while allowing the building to evolve and serve contemporary needs. The challenge was to work with as much original fabric as possible, employ traditional craft skills, and ensure every intervention helped secure the church for the long term, whie still meeting Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund requirements.

As the project neared completion, we reviewed and updated the management and maintenance plan, ensuring there was a clear framework in place for future care.

Our heritage consultancy team prepared a detailed Statement of Significance, capturing not just the architectural importance of the site, but also its human history. From industrial growth and migration to its present role as a pillar of community life. The understanding shaped every action, ensuring our work didn't just preserve but also provided meaning for every conservation decision.

Crucial to the project was ensuring that conservation didn't happen to the community but with them. Tours, talks and hands-on engagements invited the local community in to share their stories and culture. We involved local people, schools, and groups who might not normally engage with historic buildings, to ensure that we were getting a varied perspective of the project.

We used 3D modelling and virtual reality to welcome new audiences - helping individuals step inside a digital version of St Mark's, understand its construction, and see the work unfold. This technology helped demystify heritage skills and inspired local ownership.

For almost 200 years, St Mark’s has shaped community identity in Shelton.

With its structure secured and a long-term maintenance plan in place, St Mark’s can now look outward again. Its future is one of active cultural, social and spiritual life. The building stands not as an artefact, but as a living asset, rooted in history and working for future use.