Saving a 600-Year-Old Medieval Masterpiece: Church Launches Big Fundraiser!

In the village of Cound, Shropshire, a church has uncovered a remarkable medieval wall painting known as the Doom or Last Judgement. This artwork, believed to be around 600 years old, depicts the moment when Christ judges souls, deciding who will ascend to heaven and who will be sent to hell. The painting is considered very important, but it is in need of significant restoration to preserve it for future generations. The church has announced that the cost of the restoration will be about £50,000, and they are planning a major fundraising campaign to cover these expenses.

Peter Martindale, an expert in conserving wall paintings, has been visiting St Peter's Church to assess the condition of the artwork. Wearing protective goggles and white overalls, he examines the painting closely and takes photographs to document its current state. Martindale explained that this type of painting is rare, with only about 70 or 80 similar works remaining in the country. The Doom painting was discovered in 1891 when builders removed plaster from the east wall of the church's nave. The artwork is divided into two main sections. The upper tier features Christ in Majesty, sitting on a rainbow and displaying his wounds, surrounded by figures such as the apostles, the Virgin Mary, St Peter, and John the Baptist. The lower tier shows the saved, rising from their graves and being welcomed into the heavenly city, which is represented by buildings in the painting.

Unfortunately, not all of the painting has survived over the centuries. Scaffolding and extra lighting have been set up inside the church to allow experts to study the remaining fragments. On the opposite side of the painting, the damned are depicted, with devils and scenes of suffering. Martindale emphasized the importance of these 'ephemeral' paintings, noting that they are easily lost because they are simply paint on plaster. He described them as wonderful windows into history, showing how people lived and what they believed.

Ann Cooke, the church warden, said the painting is beautiful but acknowledged that restoration and cleaning are urgently needed. She estimated the cost at £50,000 and said the church would need a huge fundraising effort. So far, they have held concerts, received generous donations, and used money from local events to support the church and its insurance, but the restoration is an additional expense. Cooke mentioned that they are fortunate because some paintings were varnished over in Victorian times, but this one has remained untouched, preserving its original appearance.

The painting itself is striking, with the upper half showing the ladder of salvation, where souls climb toward heaven, guided by angels and judged by Christ. The lower half presents a hellish landscape, illustrating the seven deadly sins and the consequences for sinners. Even though only fragments remain, the church is determined to save what is left.

The church is reaching out to the community for support, hoping that people will contribute to the fundraising campaign or attend events. By preserving this medieval painting, they aim to protect an important piece of local and religious history. The artwork serves as a reminder of how people in the past viewed life, death, and morality.

Anyone interested in helping can contact the church or follow their updates online. With enough support, St Peter's Church hopes to restore the Doom painting and ensure it remains a valuable part of Shropshire's heritage.