Arundel Cathedral
Location: Arundel
Client: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
Architect: St Ann’s Gate Architects
Value: Not disclosed
Arundel Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in West Sussex, originally dedicated in 1873 as the Catholic Parish Church of Arundel.
Above the transept sat a 1970s fibreglass-clad flèche that had become an established feature of the roofscape. Over time, however, persistent water penetration through the structure caused significant deterioration. The project focused on removing the failing flèche, protecting the historic fabric below and delivering a durable replacement appropriate to the cathedral’s architectural character.
The existing flèche had been leaking for many years, leading to serious corrosion within its steel frame and water ingress to the ceiling below. Any replacement needed to improve long-term weather performance without overloading the existing supporting structure above the chancel arch. The works also required careful temporary access and weather protection to safeguard the cathedral during construction, alongside detailed checks to confirm the roof structure could accommodate the increased weight of a lead-clad replacement.
Completed in 2011, the project delivered a new lead-clad steel flèche that resolved long-standing water ingress problems and restored the integrity of this prominent cathedral feature.
The replacement structure provided a more robust and durable solution while respecting the character of the building. Associated strengthening works within the roof space improved load transfer and resilience, ensuring the cathedral was protected from further damage and that the renewed flèche could perform reliably for the long term.
Project Categories
More Projects:
