Located just east of College Green, St Helen's is a small chapel located in the upper storey of the Cathedral Gatehouse - accessed through the Cathedral Office.
The Gateway itself was built around 1500 and the chapel was restored in the 1860s. However, it is no longer a functioning chapel. In the 19th century it was used as a treasury and is currently the office of the cathedral's Archaeologist, Norman Emery.
The Inspection
During a scaffold site visit, an inspection was carried out on the west window of St Helen's Chapel to assess its current condition. This was carried out by Lizzy Hippisley-Cox MA of Eden Stained Glass and Megan Barnett MA of Woodside Stained Glass.
What work has happened?
The decision was made to carry out conservation treatment to stabilize and strengthen the window for the future. This is to prevent further deterioration and save on financial cost.
Additionally, it would allow for ventilation to be reclaimed - allowing for better airflow that would benefit both the contents of the office and its occupant.
Step 1 - Removal
Window panels were labelled along with having their measurements taken.
They were then removed and packaged safely for transit.
Step 2 - Conservation
The panels were then sent to a stained glass conservation studio.
Microbial growth was treated. Cracked glass was either mended or replaced depending on severity.
Step 3 - Reinstallation
The panels were safely transported back to the site and reinstalled - along with some new drainage trays.
This was done using a lime mortar mix as per the Cathedral's specification.
