Church Silver Restoration
We restore communion ware and altar silver with the same care we've shown for over 60 years.
Patens, cruets, lavabo bowls, altar bells, communion trays, and other silver items used in worship lose their shine over time. Tarnish builds up, plating wears thin, and pieces that should reflect light properly don't. We strip away old finishes, repair damage, re-plate with real silver, and apply protective lacquer so they look right and last. Every piece is handled with the care it deserves. We've worked on items from small parish churches and large cathedrals alike. Whether it's a single paten or an entire set of communion ware, we treat church silver with proper respect and give it the attention needed to serve well for years to come.
Why Churches Trust Us
Church silver needs more than just polishing. It needs proper restoration that understands what these items are used for. We've worked with churches for over 60 years, and we handle every piece with the attention it deserves.
Three generations restoring church silver since 1962
We understand how these items are used in worship
Silver plating with protective lacquer to reduce tarnish
Experience with patens, cruets, lavabo sets, altar bells, and communion ware
Honest advice on whether items need full restoration or just cleaning
Clear pricing before any work begins
Churches across London and the UK trust us with their silver
How We Restore Church Silver
Church silver restoration follows careful steps to bring items back without damaging them further. Here's how we work.
Inspect the Items
We check the condition, how much plating is left, and whether there's damage beneath the tarnish. This tells us what's needed.
Strip Old Plating
If the silver is worn through or badly tarnished, we remove it completely to get back to clean metal. This gives the new plating a proper surface to bond to.
Repair Damage
Dents, worn handles, loose fittings, or damaged edges get repaired before plating. Church silver often sees heavy use, so these repairs matter.
Polish the Surface
Everything gets polished smooth. Silver plating shows every mark underneath, so the surface must be even before we plate.
Apply Fresh Silver
We silver plate using electroplating. The thickness depends on how the item will be used. Pieces handled regularly get thicker plating for durability.
Protective Lacquer
After plating, we apply clear lacquer that slows tarnish. Church silver stays looking proper for much longer with this protection.
Most church silver work takes 1 to 2 weeks. Larger sets or items needing significant repair take longer. We'll confirm timescales when we quote.
Church Silver Items We Work On
We restore all types of silver used in worship. If it's part of your church's communion ware or altar furnishings, we can bring it back.
Communion Ware
Patens (both large and small), communion trays, host bowls, bread plates, and stacking patens for distribution.
Cruets and Flagons
Water and wine cruets, flagon sets, cruet trays, and stoppers that have worn or tarnished.
Lavabo Sets
Lavabo bowls, ewers, and trays used for the washing of hands during Mass.
Altar Bells
Sanctuary bells, altar bells, and bell sets that have lost their shine or have damaged plating.
Other Church Silver
Holy water fonts, offering plates, collection dishes, pyx containers, and any other silver items used in worship.
Common Problems We Fix
Worn silver plating showing base metal underneath, heavy tarnish that won't clean easily, dents and damage, loose or broken parts, pieces needing full restoration.
Sterling silver is polished and protected. Silver plate is replated where worn through. All work keeps pieces suitable for church use.
Churches We Help
We restore silver for Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and other Christian churches across London and throughout the UK. Each tradition has slightly different items, but the work is the same.
Parish Churches Restoring communion ware, altar silver, and liturgical items for regular worship services.
Cathedrals Larger sets, historic pieces, and items needing careful restoration to maintain their appearance and function.
Chapel Communities Smaller congregations with silver that needs bringing back or protecting from further wear.
Church Sacristans and Altar Guilds Members responsible for maintaining church items who need professional restoration work done properly.
Anyone Caring for Church Silver Whether you're clergy, a volunteer, or responsible for maintaining your church's vessels, we're here to help restore what needs attention.
What Church Silver Restoration Costs
Prices depend on the size of the items, how worn they are, and how much work is needed. A single paten costs less than restoring an entire communion set. Heavily tarnished or damaged pieces take more time to prep and repair.
Send clear photos showing the condition. Let us know what items you have and how they're used. We'll give you an exact price before starting. No surprises.
Turnaround is usually 1 to 2 weeks for most items. Full sets or pieces needing significant repair may take longer. We'll confirm timings with your quote.
How to Send Church Silver to Us
Churches from across the UK send silver to us safely. Here's how to do it properly.
Pack with Care Wrap each piece separately in bubble wrap or cloth. Use a sturdy box with padding so nothing shifts. Include your church name, contact details, and return address.
Use Insurance Always send tracked and fully insured. Royal Mail Special Delivery or a courier with insurance protects your items if anything goes wrong in transit.
What to Expect We'll confirm as soon as your silver arrives. You'll get updates while we're working on it, and we'll arrange secure return delivery when finished.
Our Address Stevenson Platers 34 Woodgrange Avenue Harrow London HA3 0XD
Common Questions About Church Silver Restoration
Here are questions churches ask us most often. If yours isn't listed, get in touch.
Do church items need to be blessed again after restoration?
That depends on your tradition and what was done to the item. Re-plating doesn't change what the item is, just its surface. Some churches have items re-blessed as a matter of practice, others don't. Check with your priest or minister if you're unsure. We handle the restoration properly so the items are ready to return to service.
Can you restore silver that's been stored away for years?
Yes. Items stored in damp conditions, attics, or boxes often develop heavy tarnish or corrosion. Even badly tarnished silver can be brought back. The work just takes more prep and cleaning before we can plate. Send photos showing the condition and we'll assess what's needed.
Will the silver look different after restoration?
Restored silver will look clean, bright, and properly plated. If your items are very old and have developed a patina, they'll look different after restoration because that patina gets removed. Most churches prefer this since it returns items to a condition suitable for use in worship. If you want to preserve a patina or aged look, let us know before we start.
How do we care for church silver after it's restored?
Wash items gently with warm soapy water after use. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Don't leave wine sitting in cruets or flagons overnight as the acid damages silver. Store items in a dry place when not in use. The protective lacquer we apply slows tarnish, but regular gentle cleaning still helps. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
Can you match silver plating to items we already have?
We'll get as close as possible. Silver plating gives a consistent finish, but slight variations can happen depending on the base metal underneath and how old existing pieces are. If matching is critical, let us know and we can discuss plating the entire set to ensure uniformity.
Do you work on items that are still consecrated or in use?
Yes. We restore items currently in use at churches. There's no need to have them deconsecrated before sending them to us. We handle all church silver with proper respect regardless of its status.
Can you repair dents or damage to church silver?
Yes. We repair dents, fix loose handles, reattach broken parts, and address damage before re-plating. Church silver gets dropped, knocked, or damaged during use. Most repairs are straightforward. If something can't be fixed, we'll let you know before starting any work.
Can we visit you to discuss our church's silver?
Yes. We're in Harrow, London. Bringing items directly works well, especially for larger sets or if you want to discuss what's needed in person. Call 07391 007 123 first to arrange a time that suits.
How often does church silver need re-plating?
It depends on use. Items handled weekly will wear faster than pieces used occasionally. Most church silver goes years between needing full restoration. If plating is wearing thin or tarnish builds up despite cleaning, it's time to have it looked at. Regular care extends the time between restorations.
Can you restore silver-plated items that have brass showing through?
Yes. When silver wears through to the brass or copper underneath, we strip everything back, smooth the surface, and re-plate properly. The items will look complete again with even silver coverage.
Request Your Quote
Tell us what church silver needs restoring and send photos showing the condition. We'll reply quickly and provide a clear price.
Church Silver Restoration Across London and the UK
We've restored church silver for congregations across London and throughout the UK since 1962. Whether you're in Harrow, across London, or anywhere in the country, we're here to help bring your church's silver back. Visit us or send items safely by post.
Prices depend on the size of the items, how worn they are, and how much work is needed. A single paten costs less than restoring an entire communion set. Heavily tarnished or damaged pieces take more time to prep and repair.