Church Metalware Restoration

We restore baptismal fonts, altar bells, and other church metalwork across London and the UK.

Churches use countless metal items beyond the main sacred vessels. Baptismal fonts, holy water fonts, altar bells, offering plates, flower vases, ewers and basins, door furniture, and decorative metalwork all need care over time. Finishes wear, tarnish builds up, damage happens, and pieces that have served for decades start showing their age. We restore all types of church metalware so these items can continue in service. Metal is stripped, polished, replated or refinished, and protected properly. Repairs to damaged or broken pieces are handled as needed. We work with brass, bronze, silver, stainless steel, and all the metals used in church furnishings. We've been restoring church metalware since 1962, serving churches across London and throughout Britain.

Why Churches Trust Us

Church metalware covers a wide range of items, each with different requirements. We've worked with churches for over 60 years and understand what these pieces need.

Family run since 1962, serving churches across London and the UK
Experience with all types of church metal items
Brass, bronze, and silver restoration
Replating, polishing, and protective finishes
Repairs to damaged or broken metalwork
We understand how churches use these items
Clear communication with clergy and property committees
Items returned ready for use in worship

How We Restore Church Metalware

Each item is different. Some need light polishing and protection. Others need complete restoration. We assess what's needed and discuss it with you first.

Assess the Item

We look at the condition to see what restoration is required. This includes checking finishes, identifying damage, and understanding what the piece is made from.

Clean and Strip

Old finishes, tarnish, and buildup are removed. This brings the metal back to a clean state for proper restoration.

Repair Damage

Dents are removed, broken pieces are fixed, damaged elements are repaired or replaced, and structural problems are addressed.

Restore Finish

Brass and bronze are polished and lacquered, silver is replated or polished, stainless steel is refinished, and all surfaces are brought back to their proper appearance.

Protect

Appropriate protective finishes are applied to slow tarnish and keep pieces looking good longer.

Final Check

Every item is inspected to make sure it's ready to return to service.

Most work takes 1 to 2 weeks. Larger or more complex items may take longer. We keep you updated.

Church Metalware We Work With

We restore all types of metal items used in churches, from functional pieces to decorative elements.

Baptismal Items Baptismal font bowls and basins, baptismal ewers and shells, font covers and lids, metal font bases and pedestals.

Holy Water Items Holy water fonts and stoups, holy water pots and sprinklers, aspergillums and buckets, decorative holy water containers.

Liturgical Metalware Altar bells and sanctus bells, cruets and trays, lavabo bowls and ewers, ablution cups, offering plates and collection dishes.

Sanctuary Furnishings Flower vases and urns, missal stands and book rests, candle followers and accessories, sanctuary lamp chains and fixtures, decorative metal panels and grilles.

Church Doors and Fixtures Door handles, push plates, and pulls, commemorative plaques and memorial plates, architectural metalwork and trim, decorative hinges and hardware.

Common Problems We Fix Worn or tarnished finishes, dents and damage, broken handles or attachments, loose or missing parts, corrosion from water exposure, damaged decorative elements.

All work maintains items suitable for church use.

Churches We Help

We serve churches across Christian traditions throughout London and the UK.

Parish Churches Restoring baptismal fonts, altar bells, and other metalware used regularly in worship.

Cathedrals and Large Churches Caring for historic metalware and maintaining numerous metal items across large buildings.

Chapels and Meeting Houses Serving smaller worship spaces with their metal furnishings and fixtures.

Religious Communities Working with monasteries and convents on their chapel metalware.

Property Committees and Church Wardens Helping those responsible for maintaining church buildings keep metalware in good condition.

Restoration Costs

Pricing depends on the type of item, size, material, condition, and work required. A small altar bell costs less than restoring a large baptismal font or multiple pieces at once.

Send clear photos showing your items, tell us what you need restored, and describe any damage or concerns. We'll assess the work needed and provide a clear quote.

Most work takes 1 to 2 weeks. Larger projects or complex restorations may take longer. We'll give you realistic timescales with your quote.

How to Send Metalware to Us

Churches send metal items to us from across the UK. Here's how to do it safely.

Pack Carefully Wrap items in bubble wrap or soft cloth. Use sturdy boxes with padding. Don't let metal pieces touch during shipping.

Consider Size and Weight Large items like baptismal font bowls or heavy metalwork may need special arrangements. Contact us first to discuss the best way to transport larger pieces.

Include Information Send a note with your church name, contact person, phone number, email, and return address. Describe what needs doing.

Use Secure Delivery Always send tracked and fully insured. Royal Mail Special Delivery for smaller items, or a courier with proper insurance for larger pieces.

What Happens We'll confirm when items arrive. You'll get updates during the work. We'll contact you when finished and arrange secure return delivery.

Our Address Stevenson Platers 34 Woodgrange Avenue Harrow London HA3 0XD

Questions About Metalware Restoration

Here are questions churches commonly ask about restoring metal items.

Can you restore baptismal font bowls?

Yes. We restore metal baptismal font bowls in brass, bronze, stainless steel, and other metals. This includes polishing, replating, repairing damage, and ensuring the bowl is suitable for holding water.

Do you work on church door furniture?

Yes. We restore church door handles, push plates, pulls, and decorative hardware. Old brass and bronze door furniture can be stripped, polished, and lacquered to bring back its appearance.

Can you restore tarnished holy water fonts?

Yes. Holy water fonts in brass, bronze, or silver are stripped of tarnish, polished, and finished properly. If fonts have damage or loose mounting hardware, we fix those issues as well.

What if an item has water damage or corrosion?

Metal exposed to water can corrode, especially around baptismal fonts and holy water containers. We remove corrosion, repair damage, and restore the finish. Proper finishing helps protect against future water exposure.

Can you restore altar bells?

Yes. Altar bells and sanctus bells are polished and finished to bring back their appearance. If bells have damage or don't sound right, we'll assess whether they can be repaired.

Do you work on commemorative plaques?

Yes. Memorial plaques and commemorative plates in brass or bronze are restored by cleaning, polishing, and protecting the finish. Engraved text and details are preserved.

Can you restore items that are badly tarnished or damaged?

Yes. Even heavily tarnished or damaged items can usually be restored. The worse the condition, the more work is needed, but most pieces can be brought back to proper condition.

How long does restored metalware stay looking good?

It depends on the item and how it's used. Pieces in dry conditions with minimal handling last longer. Items exposed to water, candles, or frequent touching need attention more regularly. Proper finishing helps everything last longer.

Can you restore very old or historic church metalware?

Yes. We work on metalware of all ages, including historic and antique pieces. Older items are handled carefully to preserve their character while making them suitable for continued use.

Can we visit to discuss our metalware restoration needs?

Yes. For churches with multiple items or specific concerns, meeting in person helps. We're in Harrow, London. Call 07391 007 123 to arrange a time to discuss your metalware restoration project.

Request Your Quote

Send clear photos of your church metalware showing the items and any areas needing attention. Tell us what needs restoring. Include your church name and contact details. We'll assess what's needed and provide a quote.