Ep 3. Fisherman's Church

In season 3, episode 3 of The Restoration Man, viewers are introduced to a dilapidated 16th-century church in Devon that the new owners have big plans for. The couple, Sam and Hannah Goss, are passionate about restoring the church to its former glory and turning it into a family home. However, they quickly learn that this will be no easy feat as they face several challenges along the way.

The episode kicks off with presenter George Clarke meeting with Sam and Hannah, who walk him through their vision for the church. They plan to turn the main hall into a magnificent open-plan living area while preserving the original features of the building, such as the stained glass windows, the arched doorways, and the stone walls. They also plan to create an upstairs mezzanine level that overlooks the main living space and will serve as a bedroom. In addition, they want to build a unique extension that will connect the church to a timber cabin they have on the property, which will serve as a guesthouse.

George Clarke is visibly impressed with Sam and Hannah's ambitious plans but warns them that they will have to navigate some difficult challenges if they want to bring their dream to life. The first hurdle they must overcome is the state of the church's roof, which has been damaged by years of neglect. George takes Sam and Hannah to meet a team of builders who specialize in restoring historic buildings. They explain that they will have to carefully remove the damaged tiles and replace them with new ones that match the original design. This will be a time-consuming and expensive task, but it is essential to ensure that the church is watertight and protected from further damage.

Another challenge that Sam and Hannah face is the preservation of the church's unique features. The stained glass windows, for instance, are incredibly delicate, and any restoration work must be carried out with the utmost care to avoid causing permanent damage. George takes them to meet an expert in stained glass restoration who explains how they will clean and repair the leadwork that holds the glass panels in place. He also warns them that they may need to replace some of the glass if it has been irreparably damaged. Sam and Hannah are determined to preserve as much of the original glass as possible, but they know that this will also be a costly process.

As the restoration work continues, Sam and Hannah's excitement about the project starts to wane as they realize just how much work is involved. They must oversee dozens of different tradespeople, including builders, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. They also have to deal with unexpected issues that crop up along the way, such as dry rot in the church's walls and an infestation of bats. The sheer scale of the project is daunting, but Sam and Hannah keep their spirits up by focusing on the end result.

In the final scenes of the episode, viewers get to see the stunning transformation of the church. Sam and Hannah's vision has become a reality, and the building has been transformed into a bright and modern family home that still retains its historic character. The main living space is flooded with light from the stained glass windows, and the mezzanine level looks out over the entire space. The extension that connects the church to the guesthouse is a quirky and innovative addition that adds even more character to the property. Overall, the restoration of the Fisherman's Church is a testament to Sam and Hannah's dedication and hard work, as well as the expertise of the team of builders and restoration experts who worked tirelessly to bring this historic building back to life.