St Marks Church, Lichfield – Under-One-Roof Project

St Marks, a prominent Grade II listed church in Stoke-On-Trent, affectionately known as the ‘Cathedral of Potteries,’ was placed on the Heritage At Risk (HAR) Register in 2017 due to substantial water ingress to the aisle roof, resulting in significant structural damage and falling masonry from its 120-feet stone tower. Eager to preserve this iconic structure, the Client appointed PMP for the “Under One Roof” project, a £2.5 million initiative supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), alongside contributions from the National Lottery Community Fund, Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust, National Churches Trust, Whalley’s Quarry, and Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust. As the largest NLHF project in the district, it focused on delivering long-term durability through the restoration and replacement of the stonework, roof covering, windows, and historic clocks. Beyond structural preservation, the project celebrates the rich history of Hanley, sharing the stories of those who lived and worked in the pottery industry, pits, and steelworks, while also fostering community heritage through engaging learning sessions, creative activities, talks, research, and events.