The 1849 Reredos at St Peter’s, Grandborough - Behind the high altar at St Peter’s stands a striking Victorian reredos – a richly carved Gothic Revival altar piece made of Caen stone and installed in 1849. It frames four painted panels bearing the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Creed, written in black Gothic script with gilded headings and red and green floral decoration.

The stonework forms an arcade of four crocketed arches and pinnacles, decorated with acanthus leaves and carved animal heads. At the centre is a carving of the “Pelican in her Piety," piercing her breast to feed her young – an ancient Christian symbol of Christ’s sacrificial love and redemption.

Why Restoration Was Needed - Over time, the Reredos had quietly suffered. Condensation running down from the east window had drawn salts through the stone, causing cracking and surface damage. The painted zinc panels had lost areas of paint around their edges, and the inscriptions were dulled by dirt, staining and bat activity. Several pieces of carved stone were loose or missing, and hidden iron cramps inside the structure had corroded and begun to push the stonework apart. By 2024 it was clear that, without intervention, this important feature of St Peter’s chancel would continue to deteriorate and could eventually become unstable and be lost.

The 2025 Conservation Project - In March 2024 an Accredited Conservator, Thomas Organ ACR of Arte Conservation Ltd, carried out a detailed condition survey and recommended careful dismantling and conservation on behalf of the PCC. Thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous donors, full conservation work took place in 2025. The project included: • Dismantling and stabilisation – the upper arches and pinnacles were taken down, the four painted panels removed, and hidden corroded iron fixings replaced with stainless-steel anchors. A discreet barrier was introduced behind the mullions to reduce future moisture transfer from the east wall. • Stone cleaning and repair – the Caen stone was cleaned using fine mechanical tools and low-pressure steam to remove dirt and salt deposits, then repaired with lime-based mortars. A missing acanthus leaf carving was recreated in matching stone. • Panel conservation – in the studio, the zinc panels were gently cleaned, areas of loss were filled, and the painted text, floral motifs and gilded rubrics were carefully retouched using conservation-grade materials and new 23¾-carat gold leaf where necessary. • Reassembly in church – once the work was complete, the conserved panels and stonework were reinstalled, returning the reredos to its place beneath the east window for the first time in nearly two centuries with its original unity and presence restored.

What You See Today - Today the Reredos once again provides a focal point at the east end of the church, much as it did when first erected in the mid-19th century. The carved stone now reads clearly, the Pelican in her Piety stands out in crisp detail, and the Lord’s Prayer, Commandments and Creed can be read easily on brightened panels with renewed gilding and colour. It is both a work of art and a teaching panel – a visual reminder of Christian belief, lovingly preserved for future generations of worshippers and visitors.

Thanks to Our Funders and Community - This project was only possible because of the generosity of many. We are deeply grateful for major support from:

The National Lottery Heritage Fun; Society of Antiquaries of London; Janet & Bryan Moore Charitable Trust; Warwickshire Churches Trust; Garfield Weston Foundation; HDH Willis Foundation and to the many individuals in Grandborough and the surrounding area whose donations – large and small – helped us safeguard this important part of our church’s heritage.

Watch the Story of the Restoration - Alongside the written report, we have created a short film that tells the story of the reredos – from its medieval setting and Victorian design, through the discovery of the damage, to the careful dismantling, workshop conservation and final reinstallation in 2025. The film includes close-up footage of the panels and carvings, as well as interviews with those involved in the project. You can watch the film here. Watch.