The Rigg Monument, St Lawrence’s Church, York

Main Contractor / Stone Carving / Lime Repairs / Consulting / Letter Cutting

Conservation and structural repair of the historic Rigg Monument following significant movement caused by the failure of the underlying brick vault. The project involved rebuilding the structural brickwork, conserving the original stone and sculpture, faithfully reproducing the memorial inscription, and reinstating the monument using as much historic fabric as possible.

Dismantling & Recording

Repairs began with the systematic dismantling of the monument. Stonework, memorial slabs, sculpture and ironwork were individually identified, recorded and safely stored before cleaning, repair and eventual reinstatement.

Structural Repair & Conservation

With the monument dismantled, the failed brick vault and supporting masonry were rebuilt using traditional materials and lime mortars. Original stonework was retained wherever possible, while carved architectural details and memorial sculpture were cleaned and conserved.

Faithful Reinstatement

The Rigg Monument commemorates six children of the Rigg family who drowned together in the River Ouse in 1830. Where the original marble inscription had become too weathered to read, a new tablet was carved as a faithful like-for-like copy, reproducing the original lettering, spacing and layout.