There’s a unique feeling that settles over you when you step into a historic building mid-restoration. It’s a sense of quiet anticipation, of being privy to a moment of transformation that will outlast everyone in the room. This was the palpable atmosphere inside St Matthew’s Church in Netley Marsh, where the scent of stone and fresh mortar hung in the cool air, and the gentle, rhythmic sounds of careful work echoed off walls that have stood for over 160 years.
This isn’t a typical story for us at Forest Stone. While we are deeply familiar with the beauty and durability of natural stone, we’ve supplied many projects that most often live under the open sky. But when we were approached to supply the limestone flooring for the restoration of this local landmark, we knew it was something special. It was an invitation to become part of the very fabric of a building that has cradled the most significant moments—the joys, the sorrows, the quiet reflections—of an entire community.
To truly tell the story of this transformation, we sat down with Dan Shaw from Marvel Paving & Construction, the master craftsman entrusted with laying the floor, and our own Craig, to talk about the journey from a damp, rotten base to the stunning, warm expanse of stone that now greets the congregation.
From the Football Pitch to the Church Floor: A Local Project with Deep Roots
“So, Dan, not the normal environment I would like to see you in,” Craig begins with a smile, looking around the church’s nave. “We’re indoors! A little bit of a different one.”
Dan grins in agreement. “Yeah, very much so. Tiling the inside of one of your most local churches… St Matthew’s, Netley Marsh. It’s a very, very cool thing for me to be involved with.”
What makes this project so poignant for Craig and the team at Forest Stone isn’t just the technical challenge of finding the right stone; it’s the deep personal connection. “This church is something that I’ve seen many a time from over the road in the past,” he explains. “The White Horse pub. Yeah, I used to play football for this village with my mates. So we all know this church.”
This sense of familiarity is the heartbeat of the project. It wasn’t an anonymous contract; it was a mission to restore a building that formed the backdrop to childhood games and community gatherings. The project came to Forest Stone through a similar thread of local connection. As Craig explains, “One of the company founder’s, Will, has been talking about this one for a while. His late father was the Clerk of Works for the church renovation project and a real driving force in getting the church back how it should be. They’d been talking for ages about renovating this place.”
The plan was for the installation to be a winter job, a perfect piece of scheduling for a landscaper during the quieter months. But as with many heritage projects, the timeline was dictated by the building itself. The altar needed to be removed and repaired, and other critical works pushed the flooring project back. In a fortunate twist of fate, this delay meant Dan and his team were working inside the church’s beautifully thick, stone walls during a sweltering summer.
“It was 30 degrees outside and we were in here and it was so cool,” Dan recalls. “As soon as you went outside, it was like an oven instantly hitting you. So, grateful to be inside. And more importantly, get to lay a church floor- what an honour.”
The Legacy of Stone: Building for the Next 250 Years
The legacy of working on a building like this is central to the story. When you’re laying a patio, you hope it will last 15 or 20 years. But when you’re laying the floor of a 160-year-old church, you’re working on a different timescale entirely.
“This church is 160 or so years old,” Dan reflects, his gaze sweeping across the space. “So hopefully we can get that out of this floor… Hopefully this in 250 years this floor is still here”
He contrasts this with his usual work: “Traditionally, a patio could last 15-20 years. Someone might sell the house, someone might move in, it’ll be ripped up. So the legacy of our patio, as we traditionally do, might not be that long. But this one? Hopefully hundreds of years.”
This is the essence of heritage stone flooring. It’s not merely a surface; it’s a foundation for future history. The choice of material, the skill of the installation, and the vision for the design all converge with the goal of creating something permanent and meaningful. This project is a powerful example of building restoration limestone at its best—selecting a material that is not only beautiful and authentic but is also capable of carrying the weight of centuries.
A Collaborative Vision: Selecting the Perfect Stone Palette
The original floor of St Matthew’s was a suspended wooden structure, a common feature in churches of its era. But Netley Marsh lives up to its name; the marshy ground below had taken its toll. The floor was completely rotten, leading to dampness and a persistent, unwelcoming background smell. The solution was a modern one: a new concrete subfloor with underfloor heating, topped with a screed, ready for a new, long-standing surface.
The architect, Tim Sage, faced the task of selecting a floor that would honour the building’s history while bringing it into a new era of use and comfort. He worked closely with Forest Stone to find the perfect combination of stone, a process that involved pouring over numerous samples.
“He had quite a specific idea,” Craig recalls. “You can see the pattern is quite unique. He wanted like a light and a dark, but the contrast not to be huge and the dark not to be too dark.”
The final selection was a masterful combination of two of our stunning Egyptian limestones: Lymington Dawn and Lymington Beige.
“The darker one here, outside, is actually one of the lighter options we do,” Craig explains, pointing to the Lymington Beige. “But inside it does look quite a lot darker because it’s been paired with Lymington Dawn, which is another limestone, but much lighter—a sort of honey-white tone, but really warm in feel.”
Craig admits he was initially sceptical. “To be honest, when the architect was going through the samples, this [Lymington Dawn] wasn’t one of my favourite colours. I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ But Tim said, ‘Honestly, it’s just going to look absolutely amazing in there.’ And then as soon as you had laid 20 square metres and you could see it up against the other stone and one of the piers, I was like, ‘Oh, wow. This place is going to look special.’”
The transformation was instant and profound. The old screed floor was grey and cold, both in appearance and feel. As soon as the first sections of warm-toned limestone were laid, the character of the space began to shift.
“It’s just so warm, so comforting,” Dan says. “We’ve had a lot of the church people poking their heads in while we’ve been doing it, and every single one of them says, ‘Oh, it looks lovely.’ So I think if I can keep them happy, then we’re doing a good job.”
The Community’s Awakening: A Landmark Reborn
The excitement from the community wasn’t just a passing comment; it was a constant, uplifting presence throughout the project. The church had been closed since 2023, with its congregation worshipping in the local village hall. For nearly two years, this central pillar of the community had been silent.
“I’ve not been here that long today,” Craig remarks during the interview, “and we’ve already had about four or five people coming in and having a peer round.”
For Dan, this was a daily occurrence. “You see the door’s open, they see work is going on… yeah, lots of them are out there getting a bit of excitement about it. They are so excited to get the church back.”
But the change wasn’t just visual. The most immediate and telling difference was olfactory. The damp, musty smell that had plagued the building for years was gone, replaced by the clean, mineral scent of limestone.
“Everyone said that it smells different,” Dan notes, a touch of pride in his voice. “Because before it smelt very damp. And now everyone that’s coming in says, ‘The smell’s gone, the smell’s gone Dan.’”
This sensory transformation underscores a crucial point in church restoration flooring: it’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a healthy, welcoming, and comfortable environment that respects the building’s history while ensuring its functionality for decades to come. The new limestone flooring, coupled with the underfloor heating, has fundamentally altered the atmosphere of the space, making it a place people will want to gather in, not just endure.
From Unnoticed to Unmissable: Creating a “Cathedral Vibe”
For many, the old floor was something they never truly saw. It was simply there, worn and faded into the background of life’s major events.
“I’ve been in here for a wedding and unfortunately a funeral as well,” Craig shares. “And the floor was something I never really paid attention to.”
A local historian visiting the site reinforced this, showing Dan old photographs that revealed a floor that was, in his words, “covered in rugs and never really loved or thought about.” But the new floor? It commands attention. The combination of the light-catching Lymington Dawn, the elegant contrast of the Lymington Beige, and the intricate pattern has created a foundation that is itself a work of art.
“It seems a shame to put all the pews on it if I’m honest,” Dan muses, looking at the beautiful stonework. “That’s why I needed to get in here to get it filmed, to look at this stone and enjoy it” replies Craig, going on to say- “This is more, you know, this is like cathedral vibes now.”
“100%,” Dan confirms. “It’s so lovely.”
This elevation of the space from a local church to something with a “cathedral vibe” is the power of considered design and quality materials. The right limestone flooring doesn’t just cover a subfloor; it defines the entire character of a room.
The Honour of the Craft
Throughout the conversation, Dan’s humility and deep respect for the project shine through. For a landscaper used to working with the elements, being entrusted with the internal heart of a historic church was a profound honour.
“It’s a great honour to get the chance to lay the floor in a church,” he says, his tone sincere. “The people that we’ve worked alongside, working alongside Salisbury Stonemasons up there doing the chancel… So again, it’s a great honour to be given…”
He goes on to humbly say, “Because I’m just a slabber” Craig laughs but is quick to correct him. “You don’t do yourself justice because you’re a very, very, very good landscaper. And you’re not just a slabber!”
The banter reveals a deeper truth: this project brought together a wide range of skilled craftspeople, from landscapers to master stonemasons, all united by a shared respect for the building. It was a collaboration where traditional skills met modern expertise, a common theme in successful historic renovation.
Devil in the Diamond: The Power of Pattern
A key part of the “cathedral vibe” is the stunning diamond pattern Tim the architect designed. It’s a classic, timeless layout that adds a layer of complexity and grandeur without feeling ostentatious.
“I’d say to Tim, if you’re watching this, Tim, you’ve done a fantastic job with it,” Craig says, praising the design. “He smashed out the pattern. I love the diamond. And I love the framing of the path.”
The attention to detail is meticulous. Dan points to the area beneath the font. “Even the little detail underneath the font here just breaks up the area, just breaks it up. And you can immediately see how they’re going to start using the space and where the pews are going to go.”
This thoughtful design ensures that even the areas that will be partially covered by furniture contribute to the overall beauty and flow of the space. It demonstrates that expert limestone tile installation is about more than just laying tiles in a grid; it’s about interpreting a design and understanding how the pattern will guide the eye and influence the use of the space for generations.
The Unsung Hero: Why Grout Matters
In a floor designed to last hundreds of years, every component must be chosen for its longevity. While the stone is the star, the grout is the crucial supporting actor. For this project, the choice was Flowpoint Fine Natural Grey, a very durable natural-coloured grout that we are passionate about.
“Was the grout choice your influence or was it Tim’s?” Craig asks.
“Yeah, that was me,” Dan confirms. “I mean, there’s only one go-to grout really. It’s Flowpoint. Goes in, once it’s in, it’s there forever.”
What was particularly satisfying for Dan was introducing this modern product to other traditional craftsmen. “Tim’s never heard of it, was really impressed with it. Salisbury Cathedral Stonemasons never heard of it, were really impressed with it as well.”
This surprised both of them. “They’re so amazing, but they’re very much like, yeah, very traditional in their methods,” Dan says. “But yeah, I mean, there’s still people out there that don’t know about this really good grout.”
The benefits are immense, especially on a perfectly level screed like the one in the church. “The levels of the floor were good weren’t they?” Craig asks.
“Oh, yeah,” Dan replies. “I think there’s about 2 or 3 mil tolerance across the whole thing.”
Flowpoint is not only strong and durable but also easy to work with. “Once it’s dried, it looks like traditional sand and cement. You would never know,” Dan explains. The colour, ‘Natural’, blends seamlessly with the warm, neutral tones of the limestone, creating a unified appearance.
Working in the church’s consistently cool, temperate environment was also a benefit, preventing the sun from affecting the grout’s curing process. It was the perfect conditions for using this kind of grout.
A New Chapter: The Floor as a Living Legacy
As the project neared its end during the filming of the video, the sense of accomplishment was mixed with anticipation for the building’s reopening.
“You’ve caught us just at the right time,” Dan says. “I’m glad I’ve come in now. I’ve been waiting to come by because it’s a special project to be involved with. And we really hope that the local community can start to enjoy it soon.” replies Craig.
Dan outlines the final steps: the stonemasons have a few more weeks of work on the chancel, and then the pews will be returned. The long-awaited moment when the community could fully reclaim their spiritual home was just on the horizon. “People will be able to come in and start using it again as a church. Start doing Sunday service. That’ll be really cool.”
And with the new underfloor heating, that use will be a comfortable one. “I said to one of the locals, Angela, I said you can have your shoes and socks off in the winter and put your bare feet on the tiles,” Dan jokes. “These tiles act like a storage heater.” The thermal mass of the natural limestone will absorb the warmth from the underfloor heating and radiate it back gently, creating a uniquely comforting underfoot experience.
More Than Stone to Us
For us at Forest Stone, this project holds an even deeper, more personal significance. The incredible transformation you see was led by Dave Martin, the church renovation’s Clerk of Works, and the father of one of our founders, Will Martin. Dave’s dedication, energy, and love for this historic building were a driving force behind its restoration.
Tragically, Dave passed away due to cancer before he could see the community fully enjoy the space he helped to create.
In a turn of events that we can only describe as profoundly poetic and moving, the first service held in the newly restored church was Dave’s own funeral. It was a final, fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to this place, allowing his family, friends, and community to say goodbye surrounded by the beauty he helped restore.
This church floor will now bear the footsteps of a community he loved, forever remembering the man who helped lead it home. Rest in peace, Dave. Your legacy is set in stone. ❤️
A portion of the proceeds from this project have been donated to Oakhaven Hospice, who looked after Dave in his last moments with us.
A Final Reflection
The restoration of St Matthew’s Church is a masterclass in how to approach a historic renovation. It shows that success lies in the fusion of a clear vision, collaborative spirit, and the uncompromising selection of materials and craftspeople.
From the initial selection of the Lymington Dawn and Beige limestone to the meticulous installation of the diamond pattern and the careful choice of Flowpoint grout, every decision was made with permanence and beauty in mind. This project wasn’t just about installing a new floor; it was about restoring a sense of place, of community, and of pride.
The new limestone floor is more than a surface to walk upon. It is a warm, welcoming foundation for the next century of christenings, weddings, funerals, Sunday services, and quiet moments of reflection. It is a testament to the skill of the craftsmen like Dan Shaw and his team at Marvel Paving & Construction, and a lasting tribute to the community of Netley Marsh who cherished their church enough to restore it to its former glory.
It is a floor laid not just for today, but for generations yet to come. And for us at Forest Stone, that is the most rewarding project of all.
Discover how our limestone can transform your project. Explore our full range of heritage stone solutions on our limestone section here.
Watch for the Full Story of This Beautiful Renovation Project
Watch the film for the full details on how this project came to be.
