Welcome to the web site of the Shobdon Church Preservation Trust, protecting the fabric of this building of national importance for future generations.
We welcome visitors and the church is normally open from 9.00am until dusk.
Shobdon Church is a hugely important work of architecture. It has a direct connection to Horace Walpole's Strawberry Hill in Twickenham and the members of the "Committee of Taste" which strongly influenced its design. Its amazingly intact interior and matching furniture are the sole example of this Walpolean Gothick style of Georgian church architecture and furnishing.
CALL FOR HELP
In recent years, Shobdon Church has begun to show signs of distress. The structure of most churches is pretty simple: essentially what you see of arcades and beams is what you get. Shobdon is quite different. Over the years, we have dealt with obvious problems as they showed up, but each time we became aware that there were more hidden structural weaknesses that could only be discovered following major and costly investigations. The transepts and chancel were a specific concern.
So, in 2008/9 we dismantled stone work, peeled back the lead, and found horrors within: main beams (those that support the fabulous ogee arches) that have nearly rotted through, wooden wallplates that crumble to the touch and substantial water and wood-boring insect damage. Quite a list: this is a building truly in peril.
English Heritage shares our concern. It has been fully involved in assessing the damage and helping us to plan a way forward with repairs which are estimated to cost an eye-watering £1,070,000. It has recognised this church's huge importance, by allocating its highest grant for an English Listed Place of Worship for 2010 - just over £650,000. Its concern is shared by World Monuments Fund, which has placed Shobdon Church on its 2010 Watch list.
We have a funding gap of £420,000, which VAT and existing funds could reduce to just £200,000. We need to be absolutely sure that we can pay our bills before the work can be commissioned, and so we need the help of anyone - individuals or organisations - who feels strongly enough that this fabulous and unique Grade I building should be saved.