Christmas comes early for church (From Stroud News and Journal)

Christmas comes early for church

BEAUTIFULLY painted panels dating back to the 1900s have been uncovered in a Stroud church.

The sumptuous ceiling panels in the chancel of St Laurence's Church had been covered over by shabby wallpaper in the late 1960s.

But they are now being lovingly restored by conservator Donald Smith after decorators repainting the church stumbled upon them by chance.

The Dorset-based craftsman will restore the panels with oil paints made from the same natural pigments which would have been used in the 1900s when the work was first done.

The restoration will be completed with 22 carat gold leaf.

"This was all covered up with wallpaper," said Donald Smith, gesturing towards the sumptuous red, green, and cream and gold leaf.

"But it wasn't the original scheme - there's an even earlier one underneath dating back to around 1860 which is a much brighter, different sort of scheme.

"The original is mainly a blue background with gilded stars."

"It would have tied in more with the rich stained glass windows."

But restoring the first scheme would be almost impossible - both schemes are painted in oils, fusing together.

"Removing this top layer with solvents would probably damage the original," said Mr Smith.

The initials SL are carefully painted over a stylised grid iron, signifying it is a church of St Laurence and reminding worshippers how the saint was martyred.

The wallpaper was thought to be put up to hide the paint work which was becoming grubby.

"I'm cleaning the panels further because they've got residue of glue on them as well as 70 years of dirt built up prior to the wallpaper," said Mr Smith.

Rev Canon Barry Coker said he had no idea what was concealed beneath the wallpaper.

"When they started stripping off the wallpaper they found this," said the delighted vicar.

"It's fascinating, I'm amazed it was ever covered up in the first place, especially with a piece of nasty 60s wallpaper."

"It's obviously intriguing to discover this. Clearly it's much preferable to have a piece of craft there instead of the wallpaper."

"It's still in remarkably good condition although it's a bit dirty," he added.

The work at St Laurence's is being carried out under the direction of church architect Anthony Priddle, who described the lucky find as an early Christmas present for the people of Stroud.