An 'All Hands' at All Hallows

Just a few minutes up the road from our Shelley headquarters lies the village of Kirkburton, where All Hallows’ Church stands at its heart. Since its establishment in 1190, this historic church has served as a place of worship for the village and surrounding communities. As a Grade I Listed Building, any upkeep or restoration requires meticulous care. When RGS learned that the church needed additional hands for some maintenance, we knew our expertise in site investigations, particularly heritage sites, could be of service.

The parish council shared that the churchyard graves had deteriorated and needed reinforcement to prevent further damage. Despite having a dedicated graveyard team and Adopt-a-Grave volunteers, they couldn’t tackle this complex restoration alone. Additionally, they wanted to locate an original crypt that had never been opened, to ensure it wouldn't be disturbed during future works.

Before any restoration could begin, a thorough investigation of the underground was necessary. That’s where Team RGS and our GPR scanner came in. Led by Chay, the team conducted a ground-penetrating survey inside the church and its surroundings. This survey will provide a 3D view of the church’s current state and its historical layers, including the original floor and other archaeologically significant features.

Chay also filled a void found above one of the coffins with gravel, a task that the team is now continuing across more graves. This work is crucial for stabilizing the graveyard and protecting the coffins from further damage.

While RGS has offered its support and expertise in this project, All Hallows’ Church is always in need of volunteers. If your business is interested in contributing to their restoration and maintenance efforts, please reach out to All Hallows’ Church through their Facebook page.