As part of scheduled conservation roofing works at a Grade II* Listed Chorley Church, it became necessary to temporarily remove and safely store a historic 48-star American flag located high within the Church.
St Lawrence’s held a Thanksgiving service in 1942 for the American troops stationed nearby during World War II, who presented the flag to show their gratitude, and it has since been a significant commemorative artefact within the church.
The flag is a 48-star version of the United States flag, representing the union between 1912-1959. Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th States in 1959.
Suspended from a wall-mounted flagpole approximately 6 metres above floor level, access was difficult due to a historic pew in the area below. With the heritage sensitivity of both the building and the flag, a carefully planned access and removal method was developed using a non-invasive mobile scaffold access tower. Upon completion of roofing works, the flag will be returned to its original location using the same mobile tower. Its condition will be checked by the Church before reinstallation.
Schedule of Works:
- The condition of the flag was photographed and documented for records.
- The flagpole and fixings were inspected.
- Two operatives accessed upto the flag using the mobile tower.
- Clean cotton gloves were worn to prevent contamination.
- The flag was carefully removed and lowered in a controlled manner.
- All works were undertaken in consultation with the Church representatives.
- No fixings were removed or disturbed from historic stonework.
- The method was fully reversible, with no permanent alterations being made.
- The operation was planned to minimise handling and exposure.
Summary:
The flag was successfully removed without damage, and the church interior was protected. Roofing works were able to commence without obstruction of internal access. The case demonstrates the importance of careful planning, heritage consultation, and specialist handling for historic artefacts within listed buildings.
