ST.

ANDREWS KIRK

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ASSIGNMENT

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CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Historical Background

3. Physical Condition - Present

4. Conservation Strategy

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1 INTRODUCTION

Location
Description
Details

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Location

Fig-1: Location of St Andrews Kirk today

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Description
St. Andrews Church know in Chennai as The
Kirk stands very near to the two main Railway
Stations in the center of the city. Its tall spire can
be seen from great distances and it used be a
local landmark for the thousands of commuters
coming into Egmore Station every day. Many
visitors come to St. Andrews either to worship or
as tourists.
The Kirk is a legacy of the British Raj in India. It was
built by the then British Government at a cost of
20,000 pounds in the year 1821 and it still remains
as one of the finest examples of Georgian
Church architecture in Asia. It stands in a good
state of preservation and continues to be well
maintained.

Fig-2: South-west View of the Church

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Details

Name : St. Andrews Kirk

LOCATION
Address : No: 37, Poonamallee High Road,
Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - India
PIN 600 008
Approach : It is mainly accessed by the
Poonamalle High road
Age: Built in 1821
(194 years old)
OWNERSHIP
- Public
- Protected
Owner : Kirk Session
The KIRK SESSION is a body of duly Dedicated,
Ordained and commissioned Elders and is a
statutory body recognized as an ecclesiastical
and legal entity by the parliament, vide Kirk
Session Act XXIII of 1899
Usage : Scottish Presbyterian Church
Condition : Good
Grade:
CMDA Heritage list- Grade I
INTACH rating-

Fig-3: Aerial view from east side of the Church

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2 HISTORY

Historical Background
Historical Significance
Architecture Style
Architectural Design
Architectural Features

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Historical Background
THE NEED FOR ST. ANDREW'S KIRK
The growth of Madras was continuous and
rapid as trade and wealth expanded and
with it the political power of the English.
Village after village integrated with the town
that grew out of Fort St. George. As more
settlers came in, more churches were built, St
Mary's at the Fort St. George's Cathedral in
1815 and St. Mathias Church in 1827. The East
India Company saw many Scotsmen in the
ranks and thus the need was felt for the Kirkthe Scottish name for a church.
SITE LOCATION
The site chosen on the basis of economy was
in many respects unfavorable, the land being
a marshland on the banks of the Chintadripet
river. But its advantages were its proximity to
the Esplanade and the garrison at Fort St.
George.

Fort
St. George

St. Andrews Kirk

And so began in 1818 the work of building the

Kirk, dutifully conceived by Major Thomas Ford
de Havilland and executed by Colonel James
Caldwell.

Fig-4: Expansion Map of Madras showing St.

Andrews Kirk w.r.t Fort St. George

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Historical Significance
St Andrews Kirk was modeled after the St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.
The objective for the Kirk was to combine strength and permanency with lightness and neatness

Fig-5: St Martin-in-the-Fields,
Trafalgar Square,
London

Fig-6: St.Andrews Kirk,

Egmore,
Chennai

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Architectural Style

Symmetry

ARCHITECT: Lt. Grand and later Major

Thomas Ford de Havilland
ENGINEER: Col. James Caldwell
ARCHITECTURAL
Palladian

STYLE

Tall Steeple

Georgian

During the Colonial era the prevailing

architecture was English Georgian,
which was founded securely on the
work of the late Italian Renaissance
architect
Andrea
Palladio,
as
interpreted by Indigo Jones and
subsequent English architects. In church
building, the translation of Palladio's
influence came through the designs of
Christopher Wren and James Gibbs.

Grecian Facade

Classical
Portico

White
Exteriors

Palladian
Windows

Fig-7: Major Features of Georgian-Palladian Style Architecture

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Architectural Design
420

155

1. Portico
2. Tower
3. Vestry
4. Nave
5. Pulpit
6. Altar
7. Sanctuary
8. Bell Tower
9.Clock Tower

9
8

Fig-8: Plan of St.Andrews Kirk

The order is Iconic, after a Roman pattern with

elaborate ornamentation. Details such as coffered
ceiling in the portico, the acanthus fillings in the
capitals and the fret ornaments on the frieze are
particularly striking. The interior is magnificent. The
columns supporting the dome stand on a
chequered black and white floor.

Fig-9: Section of St.Andrews Kirk

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Architectural Features Foundation

Fig-10: Plan of the 150 Brick and Pottery Wells on which St. Andrews is built

Fig-10: Foundation Plan of St.Andrews Kirk

GL
8m

Fig-11: Section of the Foundation of St.Andrews Kirk

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Architectural Features Dome

Fig-10: Plan of the 150 Brick and Pottery Wells on which St. Andrews is built

3
Fig-12: 1- The visualization of the interior Dome by the architect
2- Section of the Dome 3- Interior of the Dome today

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Architectural Features Steeple

Fig-10: Plan of the 150 Brick and Pottery Wells on which St. Andrews is built

Fig-13: 1- The tall steeple as seen during 50s

2 - The steeple with the spire seen today
3 Section through the steeple

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Buildings Materials
1. Walls:
-Brick with lime plaster
2. Floor:
Marble
3. Dome:
Brick, plastered with mud.
Canopy of heaven-stucco of the dome
colored with lapis lazuli.
A rod of iron- one inch in diameter is
inserted into the columns and domes.
4. Columns:
-Architrave and Frieze: Stone
-Cornice (above architrave): Brick
-12 Supporting Columns- Iron Stone (it
can resist pressure three times the
pressure of brick)
-4 Main columns: Granite Stone
-Capital: Granite (Reason- Volutes are
heavy, which would easily break off
because of their own weight.)
5. Staircase:
Exterior: Granitie
Interior Front: Teakwood (Rail- Teakwood)
Interior Back: Brick (Rail- Wood)

Walls: Brick
Dome: Brick

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Restoration History

Grade:
CMDA Heritage list- Grade I
INTACH rating-

RESTORATION- A BRIEF HISTORY

The Church was largely untouched during the
first half of the 20th century.
During the 1950s the Church was electrified,
And wooden structure was added for fans,
lights, sound system in the nave. Previously
during the British Period punkahs were used for
air circulation.
Just about 10 years ago major restoration work
was carried out where painting and plastering
work was den, structural supports for dome was
added, and tar sheets was added on the
exposed terrace floor for moisture resistant.
Storm water drains were added in the steeple.
Fig-13: 1- The tall steeple as seen in 2006

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Restoration Timeline
1818

April 06th Foundation stone of the Church was laid

1821

February 25th The Kirk was Consecrated

1883

Pipe Organ was fixed in the church

1899

September 27th Legal status was granted to the Kirk Session by

the Parliament vide Kirk Session Act XXIII of 1899

1948

March 31st British Ecclesiastical Handed over the Church to the

Session

1951

Church was electrified

1996

February Restoration of Church building Completed

2006

January Beginning of Master Restoration Plan

2013

Listed in the CMDA heritage buildings in Chennai Phase II

Re-painting begins

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Restoration History

-Electrification of the Church

During the 1950s the

Church was electrified,
And wooden structure
was added for fans,
lights, sound system in
the nave. Previously
during the British Period
punkahs were used for
air circulation.

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Restoration History
-Structural Stability of the Dome
-Integrating Services

About 10 years ago in 2006, major restoration works was carried

out where the structural stability of the dome was strengthened
by steel supports on the exterior. Tar sheets were applied on the
exposed terrace floor to resist moisture seepage.

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Restoration History Space usage

Alternate space usage was incorporated to suit modern needs. Pastors room and
converted to office and administrative spaces. Along with this, storage in the form of
wooden shelves were added

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3. CONSERVATION STRATEGY
EXTERIOR
Gate
Kirk Hall
Church
Building Elements

INTERIOR
Church
Building Elements
Antiquities and Objects
Spaces-Usage
Services Integration

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1. EXTERIOR- Gate

Entry/Exit
Gates

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1. EXTERIOR- Gate

MATERIALS
Brick with lime
plaster
Grill- Wrought Iron

PRESENT
CONDITION
1.
2.
3.

Discoloration
Cracks
Paint chipping
off

CAUSES
Pollution
Age and Traffic
Changes in
Micro-climate

RESTORATION
HISTORY
Painting in 2006 and
2013

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1. EXTERIOR- Kirk Hall

Unfinished
Kirk Hall

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1. EXTERIOR- Kirk Hall

MATERIALS

Brick with lime

plaster
Column-Stone

PRESENT
CONDITION

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

Discoloration
Cracks
Paint chipping
off
Bricks falling off
Material
Deterioration
Vegetation
Growth

CAUSES

Pollution
Age and Traffic
Changes in
Micro-climate
Neglect

RESTORATION
HISTORY

No restoration works
done.

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1. EXTERIOR- Church
2. Entrance through
the office

1. Classical
Portico- Main
Entrance- West

3. North Side
Entrance

4. Church
Backside

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1. EXTERIOR- Church

1. Classical PorticoMain Entrance- West

2. Entrance
through the office

MATERIALS
Brick with lime
plaster

PRESENT CONDITION
1.
2.
3.
4.

Discoloration
Dust Accumulation
Paint chipping off
Pigeon Droppings

3. North Side
Entrance
CAUSES

Pollution
Age and Traffic
Changes in Micro-climate
Landscape growth very
close to the Church

4. Church
Backside
RESTORATION HISTORY
Master Restoration in
2006 and Painting in
2006 and 2013

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements- Floor

1
2
2

MATERIALS
Marble and
Granite

PRESENT CONDITION
1.
2.

Floor Slab- improper

installation
Tile Chipping

CAUSES
Services incorporation
Age and Frequent usage

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements- Column
1

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements- Ceiling
1

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements- Staircase

2
3

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements- Staircase

4
1

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements - Objects
2

1
1

2
2

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements - Objects
2

3
3

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1. INTERIOR- Church
Building Elements - Objects
1

2
2

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Conservation Strategy
Major Issues
- Flaking
When carrying out repairs on existing plaster on masonry or making a new layer of plaster on old buildings,
there are 5 main principles, which have to be followed:
1. All repairs on existing plaster on masonry or new coats of plaster should use an air-lime-mortar, without
hydraulic additives or cement, or, on certain extreme positions, a slightly hydraulic mortar. This goes also for
repairs of old cement-plaster.
2. The plaster shall be an exact copy of the existing plaster, regarding roughness, colour, surfacecharacter, traces of the tools etc. The mason has to make a sample for a critical comparison, before the
whole work is started. Certain research-institutes can analyse the old plaster and determine the type of the
binding agents, the sand and other additives.
3. Before adding new plaster, the masonry has to be cleaned of dust, dirt and detached parts by brushing
and subsequently the surface is watered carefully with plain tap-water.
4. Layers of plaster shall be carried out in three coatings or layers:
A: A rough but thin ground layer of air lime mortar 1:3 (or hydraulic lime-mortar 2:1:9, 1:1:6 or 1:2:9 depending of the deterioration, weak- or hardness of the background masonry) with quite rough gravel,
thrown on the masonry, and left fairly uneven.
B: After hardening: a 2-3 cm second backing coat with coarse gravel, thrown on and then drawn to an
even layer, and after that allowed to harden for one week.
C: Then followed by a very fine finishing layer/coat with fine grained sand, also thrown up and drawn to an
even coating.
The thickness of the layers must not be superior to 2 cm, as thicker layers will cause thermal differences and
internal pressure between the interior areas and the area more exposed to the weather conditions, where
the water evaporation and the quick cooling of the mortar occurs. This favours the retraction effect with
inevitable uprising of crackings.
5. A good and lasting result implies previous, appropriate interventions against structural settings in the
masonry, ascending ground moisture or hygroscopic salts

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Conservation Strategy

Dust accumulation
Chemical Cleaners to Remove Dirt
Both alkaline and acidic cleaning treatments include the use of water. Both cleaners are also likely to contain
surfactants (wetting agents) that facilitate the chemical reaction that removes the dirt. Generally, the masonry is
wet first for both types of cleaners, then the chemical cleaner is sprayed on at very low pressure or brushed onto the
surface. The cleaner is left to dwell on the masonry for an amount of time recommended by the product
manufacturer or, preferably, determined by testing, and rinsed off with a low- or moderate-pressure cold, or
sometimes hot, water wash.
More than one application of the cleaner may be necessary, and it is always a good practice to test the product
manufacturers recommendations concerning dilution rates and dwell times. Because each cleaning situation is
unique, dilution rates and dwell times can vary considerably. The masonry surface may be scrubbed lightly with
natural or synthetic bristle brushes prior to rinsing. After rinsing, pH strips should be applied to the surface to ensure
that the masonry has been neutralized completely.
Acidic Cleaners
Acid-based cleaning products may be used on non-acid sensitive masonry, which generally includes: granite, most
sandstone, slate, unglazed brick and unglazed architectural terra cotta, cast stone and concrete. Most commercial
acidic cleaners are composed primarily of hydrofluoric acid, and often include some phosphoric acid to prevent
rust-like stains from developing on the masonry after the cleaning. Acid cleaners are applied to the pre-wet masonry
which should be kept wet while the acid is allowed to "work", and then removed with a water wash.

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1. Conservation Strategy
Master Plan proposition
A new master plan is being proposed for the site which will ensure allotted car park areas, adequate landscape and
buffer zones to counter pollution and dust.