The Grade I listed St Mary Magdalene Church, Paddington, was designed by the acclaimed English architect G. E. Street in the 1860s-70s.

Caroe Architecture is working closely with Cliveden Conservation, who have been appointed to carry out the restoration and specialist cleaning of the internal and external decoration. A key component of this work is the conservation cleaning of fine decorative painted ceilings in the Nave and Chancel, which were executed by a leading ecclesiastical artist of the day, Daniel Bell. The process has involved in-depth trials and analysis to establish conservation techniques to carefully remove the dirt and discoloured varnish, which until recently disfigured and concealed the full grandeur of these ceilings.

Caroe Architecture Ltd are the conservation architects working with Dow Jones Architects, who are leading on the new facilities being constructed for the Church. These include a learning space, cafe and cultural venue, which will be run by Paddington Development Trust. The conservation work forms a major part of the Church’s redevelopment alongside the new annexe.

The project is being supported by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund.