REPAIRS to a leaky church roof have uncovered a series of historic wall paintings left unseen for more than 100 years.
Rumours of a colourful secret hiding under a plain wall at Ringwood’s Church of St Peter & St Paul in the market place have been proven true after routine repair work revealed lost artwork at least 115 years old.
When the New Forest church was rebuilt in the 1850s, the east wall of the chancel – the area with the altar and choir stalls – was covered with colourful wall paintings. However, in 1906 they were painted over after roof leak damage. It was deemed that repairs were too costly and only images of the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, remained visible.
Following further roof repairs in 2017, the wall had to be left to dry out before conservation started to the surviving paintings. Only then did it become clear that many more paintings hid underneath the white paint.
Work is now underway for the over-paint to be fully removed and the wall paintings revealed in all their glory.
The recovery is being undertaken by expert paint conservator Peter Martindale. He said: “Considering the age of the wall paintings and what has happened over the decades, their overall condition is very good. The fact that the wall paintings echo the style of the stained glass leads me to suggest that the interior of the chancel would have been stunning in the 1870s.
“We are hoping to bring some of that back through the programme of conservation. The host of musical angels, over the east window, will catch the eye of anyone who enters the church.
“It is a great pleasure to work in such a beautiful church.”
Vicar Matthew Trick said: “The paintings bring the message alive in a way beyond words.”
The 2017 roof repairs were funded by the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Scheme and King’s College Cambridge. The grants will allow most, but not all, of the paintings to be uncovered and the church now hopes to raise funding to complete the work.
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