Modern. Brewing Production. Restoration Project. Old Saint Paul s Church Edinburgh

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1 Restoration Project Modern Old Saint Paul s Church Edinburgh Brewing Production

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1 Introduction...1 The Restoration Mission...2 Disabled Access Problems...3 Chapter 2 The Solution...5 Back in Service...7 Chapter 3 About Old Saint Paul s Church...8 Chapter 4 About Simply Access Lifts...10

3 CHAPTER 1: Introduction VISUAL HERE Old Saints Paul s Church in the historic heart of Edinburgh s Old Town is a traditional and popular community building quirkily sited between two much taller buildings and on a steep slope. Its ambitious plan to restore and revitalise the building has now been completed and the result is a new warmth and serenity along with practicalities such as a new platform stair lift, to travel the Calvary Stair of 33 steps which represents the traditional age of Christ at the time of His crucifixion. This important contract was given to wheelchair platform lift specialist Simply Access Lifts Ltd, who is respected for their work in historical and listed buildings. The 33-step Calvary Stair before the stairlift // Page 1

4 The Restoration Mission For the wider community Old Saint Paul's building dates from the 19th century but has a history going back 300 years. The Church and Hall have a high standing within the local community and are in constant use by the congregation and by the wider community of the Old Town for a range of social activities. Old Saint Paul s Church set out their mission over two years ago to sympathetically restore this historic building and make Old Saint Paul s more visible, accessible and welcoming; securing it as a community flagship in the City. A thriving congregation and all round community involvement // Page 2

5 Disabled Access Problems Site obstacles Most traditional buildings will be without adequate open access to people with disabilities and Old Saint Pauls was no exception. It had the classic problems associated with a period building, of restricted space and the need to restore in keeping with its environment and overall ambience of serenity. It also had its own unique problems for wheelchair access in that the church is built on a steep incline which makes wheelchair access problematic, with changes of gradient and columns within the walls to negotiate. Low windows below rail level and columns and insets to contend with // Page 3

6 The Calvary Stair has 33 steps, symbolic of the age of Christ at the time of His Crucifixion. A cumbersome stair climber had been an affordable short term solution at the time but the new need was for a platform chair lift that offered comfort, ease of operation and reliability and safety for the user. In addition, it had to look an attractive piece of furniture as the Calvary Stair, the site of the platform lift, was a feature in itself. The Calvary Stair, which leads up to the church from the Jeffrey Street entrance, was built in 1926 at the same time as the Memorial Chapel. An impressive entrance, the Stair has 33 steps, symbolic of the traditional age of Christ at the time of His crucifixion // Page 4

7 CHAPTER 2: The Solution The requirement was to construct a new landing at the top of the Stair, to make it level with the church floor. This was followed by installation of the chair lift itself, a fixed and self-operated platform lift which now brings wheelchair users up the Stair to enter the church. New glass doors were fitted at the top and bottom of the Stair, and a new solid oak door in the street entrance. These projects, together with the new atmospheric lighting and new paving outside the doors, have made the entrance to Old Saint Paul s more attractive and inviting. The final task was re-hang the newly cleaned and restored plaque of the Madonna and Child which has graced the Calvary Stair since it was built. // Page 5

8 A simple elegance, quiet in operation and blending perfectly with the original style and architecture of its surroundings. The stair lift installation was sympathetically carried out by Simply Access Lifts Ltd, a company who provide bespoke solutions and who thrive on overcoming engineering difficulties that some buildings pose. The 'SLIM' platform stair lift proved suitable due to the space constraints and inconsistencies of the Stair wall, as its drive system and technical and construction features make it very compact. The stair lift offers a simple elegance and is quiet in operation, blending perfectly with the original style and architecture of its surroundings. // Page 6

9 Back in Service to the community Special priority has also been given to safety features. The SLIM platform stair lift has a series of devices which ensure it stops if the platform should accidentally encounter an obstacle in its path. The IBS (independent barrier arms system) ensures complete safety when leaving the stair lift as it guarantees that the non-exit bar remains closed. Old Saint Paul s Church has achieved an impressive feat with the restoration work and now every member of the community - young, old, the able and disabled can find calmness, beauty and stillness in this community building; the platform lift taking those that need it quietly and safely up the twists and turns of the 33 steps of the Calvary Stair. Stores neatly away when not in use // Page 7

10 CHAPTER 3: About Old Saint Paul s Church An unusual feature of the architecture is the locating of gargoyles within the church rather than the building s exterior. The present building was designed by Hay and Henderson in their Early English style, and was completed in 1883 at a cost of 3,500. William Hay had been a pupil of Sir George Gilbert Scott (architect of St Mary s Cathedral, Edinburgh). // Page 8

11 Historic to Modern The long and fascinating history of Old Saint Paul s Church can be found at the OSP s site The new Saint Paul s Church was built at a time of unprecedented prosperity for the Scottish Episcopal Church and was partly funded by the Walker Trust which had already financed the building of the Episcopal Cathedral to the west of the city on Palmerston Place. Two subsequent nave extensions have trebled the building s original length, and the chancel floor has been raised and laid with marble. There is scarcely a single ornament, window or vestment in the church that was not paid for by donations or fundraising efforts. Carrubber's Close today: Old Saint Paul's started life here in an old wool store in 1689 STILL, A monumental 12 foot painting by the Scottish artist Alison Watt, was installed in the Memorial Chapel during the 2004 Edinburgh International Festival, and has remained there since. // Page 9

12 CHAPTER 4: About Simply Access Lifts Simply Access Lifts Ltd prides itself on its engineering heritage and craftsmenship in installing platform lifts to the highest standard - from straight and curved rail as in the case of OSP to through floor cabined lifts. Listed, traditional or problematic sites requiring custom solutions and advice are Simply Access s domain. // Page 10

13 Visit our Gallery of Similar Projects Click on the graphic below to visit our gallery on our website homepage or scan the QR code Simply Access Lifts Ltd are based near Salisbury in Wiltshire, sourcing modern and stylish platform lifts from trusted European suppliers and undertaking installation projects throughout the UK. Tel: Mobile: // // Page 11