conservation report

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C O N S E R V A T I O N R E P O R T

The Protestant Church @ Grangegorman

Report Authors;

Aine Crimin; Lorna Lacey; Dennis Morgan; Conor Sweeney

DT105.3 - Architectural Technology Project III: Conservation Submitted: 01.11.2010

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Section Page # 1. Introduction 3 2. Historical Study 4 3. Survey Material 9 4. Photographic Survey 20 5. Dilapidations Report 25 6. Conservation Guidelines & Recommendations 30 7. Schedule of Works 33 8. Appendix 54

Table of Contents

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Subject Building The building surveyed is the Church of Ireland church building in the grounds of St. Brendan’s Hospital, Grangegorman. The building was built in the mid 19th century as a chapel for Anglican patients and staff at the facility and through the years has been re-purposed and altered. The most glaring alteration has been the addition of block work partitions to accommodate toilet and storage space. The building is in poor condition generally. The access road has degraded into swamp-like conditions and the church is no longer visible from the road due to it’s extremely overgrown surrounds. The vegetation overgrowth has penetrated the building fabric in places. Visibility inside the building is poor as there is no functioning power supply for lamps and the windows are badly stained and dirtied. However, we were successful in completing a measurement survey and through use of torches and flash photography we are confi-dent we have thoroughly examined the damaged elements of the structure.

Contents of Report We have approached this report and survey from a number of perspectives; • Physical survey encompassing measurement survey, photographic survey and

general appraisal of dilapidations and recommendations. From this we have as-sembled a full set of scaled drawings of the chapel, a 3-d model, 3-d sketch work, a full dilapidations report with associated recommendations and a Schedule of Works.

• Historical Research involving delving into the history of the building, why it was constructed, why it fell out of use as a church and the other uses it has been put to before ultimately becoming disused and abandoned.

• Building Surrounds: We have sourced a number of historical maps in an effort to tell the story of the changes to this building’s environment and context over the past 150 years.

• Structural analysis: We have prepared sketches and a building section drawing in order to convey the overall make up and construction of the building.

Limitations of Report While unobstructed access to the building was not an issue, thanks to the courtesy and hospitality of the staff at St. Brendan’s, there were some practical issues surrounding the condition of the building that prevented some elements of our survey. • As mentioned, the visibility was an initial problem, one that we hope we have com-

pensated for. • The west elevation of the building was entirely inaccessible for recording and

measuring purposes due to overgrowth. However we are certain it is a mirror im-age of the east elevation minus the vestry extension.

• Availability of historical sources and information on the building was found to be scarce. However we have managed to gather the more pertinent facts and informa-tion.

Introduction Conclusion While this project presented it’s share of challenges in terms of planning and delegation, overcoming problems with visibility and access we believe we have accomplished our aims to the best of our ability and are proud of the body of work we have produced. We have really enjoyed being able to work with this building. For all that’s dilapidated and degraded about it, it has retained it’s character and it’s stability. We believe it is a diamond in the rough and we look forward to visiting when she has been restored to her former glory and given a purpose again. We would like to thank the staff of St. Brendan’s & the Grangegorman Development Agency for their kindness, hospitality and helpfulness in facilitating us in this project.

CofI Chapel Grangegorman

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2. Historical Study Development of Grangegorman

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Historical Study Development of Grangegorman

Historical context of building

This is a report on the history and background of the church of Ireland chapel in the

Grangegorman complex.

While researching the chapel our group found it increasingly difficult to gain information on

the subject. What we did discover and what will be outlined in this report is: Firstly, the his-

tory of the Grangegorman site. Secondly, information on the chapel; its design and the style

in comparison to other church of Ireland chapels. Finally details of the architect who de-

signed the chapel and related works.

History of Grangegorman

In 1703 The Irish parliament established a workhouse in Dublin at Grangegorman. The in-

stitution, known as the House of Industry, was to be governed by a corporation whose

members included the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, the Lord Chancellor and the

Archbishop of Dublin. The institution was as a place of detention for beggars and respite for

the poor in the county of Dublin. The Governors had the authority to detain all beggars

found in the city. Destitute children between five and 16 years old were kept in the institu-

tion, trained for apprenticeship to ‘honest Protestants’, and then apprenticed until the men

reached the age of 24 and the women 21.

A number of statutes, including 1 Geo. II, c. 27, applied public taxation to cover the cost en-

sued by the housing of the poor.

The Dublin House Of industry grew rapidly. It became the poorhouse for the country and

included sections used as asylums for the aged, infirm, homeless children and incurable

lunatics.

In 1772 in a further statute, 11 & 12 Geo. III, c. 11, which also combined previous legisla-

tion, it was decided that it was inappropriate for institutions, poorhouse and asylum, to exist

under the same roof. The act provided half acre sites for the houses. This was not enough

for Dublin. In 1787 an act was passed, 27 Geo III c.57, by which they were empowered to

take in addition 4 acres of ground. This was later increased to 11 acres.

This statute was a radical change to the system of managing the poor and orphans. The

institutions were divided. A new House of Industry was built in 1773 and the old building left

to the Foundling Hospital, a home for abandoned or homeless children.

Over the next three decades there were many developments undertaken in Grangegorman.

In 1798 a children’s home was opened. In 1806 a new asylum for children was opened, this

asylum was called Bedford Asylum, after duke of Bedford. In 1803 Hardwicke fever hospital

was erected.

By 1809 house of industry was composed of: The House of Industry, The Bedford Asylum, The

Hardwicke Fever Hospital and Hardwicke Lunatic Asylum.

In 1814 The Richmond Lunatic asylum opened. It was built to the west of the poorhouse. It was

named the Richmond asylum after the lord lieutenant Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond. The

Asylum was composed of 3, 3 storey wings enclosing a courtyard. It aimed to deal with patients

whose mental illnesses were considered to be treatable.

In 1815, Act of Geo III, Board of Governors was appointed to manage the institution.

In 1820 the Richmond penitentiary was constructed immediately to the north of the Richmond luna-

tic asylum as a prison for both male and female offenders. The penitentiary was considered neces-

sary given the escalating number of criminals who found themselves residents at the asylum. In

1827 it was taken over as a cholera hospital.

In 1832 the penitentiary gardens were incorporated as part of the Richmond asylum site and it’s

mentioned that they were dedicated as a burial ground for a cholera epidemic in the same year.

These gardens lay to the west of the current Grangegorman site.

In 1849 the architect William Murray designed and constructed a Roman Catholic Church, followed

by a fever hospital the next year and the District asylum in 1854.

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Church history

In the 1860s the Richmond penitentiary underwent improvements and extensions. It was

during this time that the church of Ireland chapel was built.

The chapel was built in 1860, in a low area on the west side of the Grangegorman lane,

situated in the penitentiary gardens.

There is a tunnel between the church of Ireland and the asylum ground to the east of the

site. This tunnel was used to transfer patients between the two areas.

The chapel is of early English

Gothic style. The chapel has a cru-

ciform plan, four bays with an apsi-

dal chancel –a semi dome. The

transepts are not original and were

added around 1900 along with a

vestry to the east elevation. Other

additions have been made, two

modern concrete block walled in-

ternal rooms, at opposite sides to

the entrance and an external boiler

house. The entrance is situated to

the north, with a projecting porch.

The walls are 660mm thick and of

snecked calp limestone. Snecked stone masonry is a method of tying together irregular

sized stones in courses which create a high strength wall. The proof of this quality is seen

in this building as the structure is still sound.

The walls are surrounded by a stepped plinth and edged with cornerstones.

The English gothic style is evident in the chapel. This style stresses height which can be

seen in the ratio of height to the width of the nave, which is approximately 3:2

Pointed arch windows and doors are used throughout, another characteristic of this style.

Single lancet windows run along the side of the nave, to the sides of the porch and around

the apse. At the transepts are triple lancets, grouped together under a single hood mould-

ing. To the exterior, the windows are contained by carved roll mouldings, with strange

heads at their ends and block surrounds. The pointed arch entrance also is decorated with

roll mouldings and block surrounds. The front door is constructed of timber with strap

hinges.

The windows are composed of leaded surrounds and stain glass. The stain glass decora-

tion on the majority of the windows that remain are quite plain, whereas the windows

around the apse are far more embellished, with foliage style patterns.

Another characteristic of the style is tracing, this is apparent on the north elevation in the

form of the trefoil window.

The roof structure is formed by a series of timber scissor bracing (similar to those used in the Ely

Cathedral), on top of these are by timber purlins with rafters laying on these. Above these ele-

ments are diagonal timber sarking boards. Slates are used to finish the roof.

The interior of the chapel is relatively unadorned, apart from the stain glass windows.

At the time when this chapel was built the church of Ireland was the official established church in

Ireland, imposed by British Rule. The Church of Ireland was funded partially by tax forced on all

Irish subjects of the Crown. The Irish Church Act 1869 finally ended the role of the Church of Ire-

land as state church.

The institutions in Ireland were established and controlled by the British, moreover they were com-

monly founded and run with a centrally religious philosophy. This could be the explanation of the

construction of the church of Ireland chapel at this time.

The style of this chapel is similar to many church of Ireland churches. This can be seen in the fol-

lowing photographs:

George Wilkinson - Architect

The chapel was built to designs by George Wilkinson. Born in Witney, Oxfordshire in 1814.His

works are predominantly associated with workhouses and public buildings. Although later on in his

career he designed railway stations including the Harcourt street station in Dublin.

In 1839 he was invitde to Ireland as the Chief Architect to the Poor Law Commissioners in Ireland

in 1839. He worked for them up until 1855, when the commissioners could no longer afford to keep

him.

In August 1860 he was appointed architect to the commissions of asylums for the lunatic poor. It

was during this time that he worked at Grangegorman, designing the Church of Ireland Chapel. He

also designed two identical asylums at Castlebar (St. Mary’s) and Letterkenny (St. Conal’s). The

buildings are in Victorian Neo-Georgian style.

Left to Right: Crohane Church of Ireland; Clogherny Church of Ireland; Clonbeg church

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1) 1837-42 OSI Historical Map This famine-era map displays the site of the future Chapel on the grounds of the Richmond Penitentiary. At this time the grounds we now know as St. Bren-dans were used as the gardens and as a burial site for victims of the cholera epidemic.

2) 1863 Map of Dublin City This map, 22-26 years after the last map shows the chapel in it’s third year after construction. Note the farmland and underdeveloped nature this area of Dub-lin at the time.

3) 1885 Map of Dublin City This map shows the chapel in the more familiar set-ting of what we now know as St. Brendan’s Hospital, which at the time functioned as a fever hospital and Catholic chapel as part of the overall asylum complex.


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4) 1888-1913 OSI Historical Map This maps shows evidence of the churches gateway entrance, which has since been closed and blocked up. The archway is still visible on the Grangegorman Road. This may be interpreted as the start of the churches decline in stature in relation to it’s surround-ing neighbour buildings.

5) 2010 OSI Map (Present Day) Extensive extensions to St. Brendans site are visible in the modern map when compared to the historic maps, and also the decline of the extent of the prison complex across the road. The ac-cess roads and paths displayed are accurate in their location but convey nothing of their degraded state.

4) The Future: Grangegorman Masterplan Above is the future envisaged for this site in terms of the new DIT campus at Grangegorman. We can see a reintegration of the church into it’s environment. It is envisaged that the church will perform the role of an exhibition space for the college. Landscaping will join the chapel to it’s neighbours environment.


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3. Survey Drawings 2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

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Survey Drawings 2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

Church Plan

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North (Front) Elevation Scale 1:100

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West Elevation Scale 1:100

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South (Rear) Elevation Scale 1:100

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East Elevation Scale 1:100

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3-D Freehand sketch showing roof construction. Timber scissor trusses & purlins supporting battens, supporting diagonal timber sarking boards supporting natural slate roof cladding

3-D Freehand sketch showing roof truss supports building into wall @ internal transept/apse junction. (Grid Ref: C2)

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SNECKED CALP LIME-

STONE

STEPPED SPLAYED

PLINTH

PAINTED PLASTERED

WALLS

3D Sketch showing structural build up of wall. Grid Ref: Along gridline 5

3D sketch showing structural build up of roof. Grid Ref: Along gridline 5

SCISSOR BRACE TIMBER ROOF

STRUCTURE

TIMBER PURLIN DIAGONAL SHEETED

TIMBER BOARDS

TIMBER RAFTER

SLATES

TIMBER BATTENS

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North East View

South East View

Rear View West Side View

Front

East Side View

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Lancet Window Exterior Lancet Interior

Internal/External

Transept Trefoil Window Exterior

Porch Windows

Front Door

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4. Photographic Survey

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5. Dilapidations Report Performed Using NBS

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Dilapidations Report Performed Using NBS

NBS – C40: Cleaning of Masonry The Calk stone walls around the building to a greater or lesser degree all appear to be

stained from moss or algae. The condition is worst at internal corners of the external wall and

on the cut limestone plinth. The cause appears to be from rainwater leaking from the old gut-

ters as the gable walls are the least affected. The walls of the west transept are covered in

graffiti also. It is unclear on inspection what effect ivy growth has had on the affected areas of

stonework.

Fig1 & 2: Algae/Moss staining @ Corner of Transept & Nave Fig3: Graffiti @ Transept Gable

NBS – C52: Preservation of Timber While the trusses appear to have been preserved intact due to their varnishing, the timber di-

agonal sarking boards in the roof show dark staining owing to the leaking of water through the

slates. This will have affected the battens that hold them. The roof is leaking in many places,

thus the boards will most likely be rotting. The dark staining in the sarking is at its worst at the

junction of the apse and transept roofs and the junction of the nave and transept and along

the ridge. The same is true in the porch roof where the paint is visibly cracked from water

damage, there is vegetation growing through the eaves into the porch and up the roof inter-

nally also. There also appears to be fire damage at the ridge of the Apse roof. Timber fascia

boards are also in poor condition. Timber

Fig4: Staining of Sarking Fig5: Porch Roof staining &

Vegetation Ingress

Fig6: Fire Damage @ Apse

NBS – H62: Pitched and hipped slate roof The roof over the advanced porch to the north elevation is in very poor condition and is cov-

ered in ivy. Many of the slates are missing, loose and badly stained. The slates over the main

part of the roof are weathered and stained with many missing slates replaced with inferior

quality slates. Many of the original nail fixings are missing and have been replaced with metal

tingles. The pointing between ridge tiles is in poor condition. Some of the ridge tiles are miss-

ing.

Fig7: Roof Ridge Fig8: Transept/Nave Valley Fig9: Porch Roof

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NBS – H71: Lead flashing The lead detail at the transition of the advanced porch to the north elevation and the main wall

is in poor condition and parts of the flashing are missing. The lead valley on the main roof is

fully intact with no obvious signs of water ingress.

Fig11: Transept/Nave Valley Fig10: Porch Roof

NBS – C51: Scissor braced timber roof structure The roof is supported by a scissor braced rafter structure. This is showing evidence of smoke

staining from a previous fire. However, there is no evidence of structural failure, overloading,

movement, physical damage, slippage or decay. However closer investigation is required as

the interior has no lighting and visibility is poor as many of the windows are blocked up. The

scissor braced rafter structure supports purlins and diagonal boarded out sheeted roof. The

sheeted roof has been painted but the paintwork has badly deteriorated and is flaking. There

is some evidence of water damage to the diagonal boarding.

Fig12: Nave Roof Fig13: Apse Roof Fig14: Transept/Apse Junction

NBS – M20: Internal plastering The walls internally are painted and plastered. The plastered walls are showing evidence of

fire/ smoke damage. As there was no lighting and visibility was poor it was difficult to assess

the full remedial works. A closer examination is required for rising damp, plaster cracking and

to establish how much has become loose or detached from the walls.

Fig15 & 16: Internal Plasterwork showing smoke/fire damage & cracking

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NBS – Q10: Kerbs & Paving The entire building is completely surrounded by overgrown ivy and bushes. There is no solid walkway leading up to the chapel and neither is there one bordering it.

Fig17: Overgrowth Fig18: No walkway/paving @

front door

Fig18: No walkway/paving around

building edge

NBS – R10: Rainwater Damage Aluminium guttering is used on the chapel. The guttering is in poor condition and missing in areas causing extensive staining on the building stonework. Flora has grown in some areas of the guttering and in cases has penetrated the eaves and entered the building.

NBS – V90/91: Electricity There’s no functioning electricity system in the chapel, although the infrastructure such as boxes and wiring appears to be in place. It’s condition and viability is unknown.


Fig19: Missing Gutter

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NBS – L40: Glazing Stained glass windows have evidence of staining and biological growth. Some pane sections are missing. Glazing element displays evidence of staining and biological deterioration. One glazing pane of window has been completely removed and the window ope has been boarded up with timber boarding. Window guarding is in poor condition showing signs of rustand bio-logical deterioration.

Fig20: Degraded Stained glass Fig21: Degraded framing Fig22: Window Removed

NBS – M40: Ceramic Tiles Ceramic tiles showing evidence of staining. However, there is no evidence of damage or cracking, however layer of dust and grit may conceal this.

Fig23: Tiling at altar

NBS – M60: Paint Paintwork has completely deteriorated and has completely peeled. Evidence of fire damage in the apse. Water ingress and fire have damaged and warped and peeled the paintwork to such an extent an appraisal of the underlying plasterwork is not possible

Fig24: Paintwork Fig25: Paintwork peeling/gone with fire damage

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6. Conservation Recommendations Performed Using NBS

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Conservation Recommendations Performed Using NBS

NBS – C40: Cleaning of Masonry • Identify the nature of the staining - is it moss/algae/lichen? • Identify the cause - Leaking of gutters / exposure to elements? • Once cause and nature is established determine steps to remove. Possible steps are: • Wire-brushing the affected area • Power hosing the stonework • Chemical treatment using acid solutions. • Preventative measures also required. • Install tanked trench pebble drain around exterior to minimise splash back of rainwater

and resultant staining. • Replace/restore all guttering and downpipes to match original. • Cut back surrounding overgrowth.

NBS – C52: Preservation of Timber • See NBS—H62 for details of Roof timbers • All timbers to be checked for dry rot by specialist • Remove decayed timber fascia and soffit boards • Replace Timber fascia and soffit with new, treated boards, painted white as original. • Re-treat interior coving timbers to ensure further longevity. • In all cases keep and reuse any timbers that are still intact and usable. • Replace existing, rotten suspended timber floor in building with new, insulated floor.

NBS – H62: Advanced porch roof to the north elevation and main church roof • Carefully remove all slates including ridge tiles for cleaning. Store carefully for re-use. • Remove all wet damaged timber roof diagonal boards and replace with new boards. Treat

all boards with preservatives • Replace water damaged rafters if any, restore and re-finish existing rafters if usable • Provide insulation between rafters and below boarding internally and finish with foil

backed plasterboard and plaster skim finish. • Provide breathable roofing felt • Provide new treated battens and diagonal sarking boards. • Re-slate roof with original and provide matching slates where there is a shortfall.

NBS – H71: Lead flashing • Remove all lead soaker sheets and counter flashing to roof • Provide all new Code 5 lead soaker sheets, valley gutters and counter flashings

NBS – C51: Scissor braced timber roof structure • Carefully clean all timbers on the scissor braced roof • Ensure all connections/ joints are structurally sound • Apply coating finish to match original varnish.

NBS – M20: Internal plastering • Clean all smoke damaged and flaking paint from existing walls • Replace/patch existing plastering on interior of walls. • Provide new insulated plasterboard and plaster skim finish to interior of all external

walls • Provide cold bridging insulation around windows.

• Paint finished walls as original.

NBS – Q10: Kerbs & Paving • Remove all overgrown ivy, bushes, shrubbery from surrounding area of church • Condition of existing paving system around church to be assessed. • Conserve, as much as possible, existing paving system and any antique paving. • Use stone paving to keep in context with the building and its setting. • All stone paving should be flush pointed to a sufficient depth to ensure permanence. • Source stone or material being used from local area. • Don't use coloured brick paving as it colour and texture are not satisfactory in keep-

ing with the buildings context. • Paving system to provide adequate access and walkway around church. • Stone paving to comply with BS EN 1341. • Stone Kerbs to comply with BS EN 1343

NBS – V90/91: Electricity • Church needs to be supplied with electricity as currently is remains without any supply. • Electrical supply duct to be drawn up and connected to existing electrical supply line in

area. • Install interconnected mains powered smoke alarms with battery back up to all areas to

give an LD2 system or better to BS 5839. • All light switches are to be fitted a maximum 1100mm above finished floor level. • The design and installation of electrics shall fully comply with R.E.C.I standards.

NBS – L40: Glazing • Stained glass windows with evidence of staining & biological growth need cleaning &

restoration • Frames require restoration and treatment in case of timber. • Replacement window needed for missing, boarded up section • One window is blocked up from outside with concrete blocks, this needs to be re-

moved and any cement damage to stone work repaired.

NBS – M40: Ceramic Tiles • Clean tiles fully with detergent so a more thorough assessment can be carried out • If any cracked tiles revealed, replace with new, preferably reclaimed tile. • If any staining from water ingress exists, treat appropriately with chemical cleaning

agents. • Re-grout all tiles to ensure no loose tiles.

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Conservation Recommendations Performed Using NBS

NBS – M60: Paint • Painting is to comply with BS 8000. • Remove all existing paint finishes using appropriate hand tools. • Apply polybond primer, or similar & approved to all plasterwork before application • Apply thinned coat of vinyl matt emulsion. • Finish with 2 coats of vinyl soft sheen emulsion. • Paint finish is to match specified sample.

NBS – R10: Rainwater drainage • Gutters shall be taken down and inspected to establish the extent of their deterioration. • Existing gutters & downpipes which can be salvaged are to have all biological growth

and rust removed. • All joints are then to be re-sealed. • Repair and if needed, replace any defective sections of pipework on a like for a like ba-

sis with section that match existing in terms of size and profile. • Downpipes shall then be re-erected on spacers 75mm clear of the wall, allowing for ven-

tilation and maintenance. • Gutters shall be re-instated with an appropriate fall. • Any previous attempted repairs using torch on felt to downpipes is to be removed. • Cast iron is to be used in the repair and replacement of any defective gutters. • All pipework shall be re-connected to existing drainage system.

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8. Schedule of Works

conservation report

Documents

building section

building fabric

measurement survey

cofi chapel grangegorman

richmond asylum

church of ireland chapels

grangegorman dt105

historical research