Plan of the Church and Welcome Area

Culturally-relevant and accessible are key words to describe the church's plans for refurbishing the church worship area and enlarging the present side entrance. The proposals were designed by Nigel Walter of local architects Archangel, following a lengthy consultation process with church members.

The aims of the proposals are to provide a modern, welcoming interior where people of all walks of life can worship God in a comfortable, less formal space. These aims would be achieved by making the present side entrance to the buildings the main entrance with an enlarged Welcome Area that would act as a hub for access to the Church or worship space to the right, the hall and Coffee Area to the left and the ancillary rooms to the rear. The new Welcome Area will provide good ramped access for wheelchair users. A sense of openness and transparency would be provided in the lobby with the use of glazed roofing and cladding as well as from the lobby to the worship space with wide glazed doors.

New Welcome Area and front of the Church

The worship space would be transformed while retaining original architectural features including the magnificent exposed timber roof, the large masonry arches, marble columns marble baptistery and organ. Most of the old pine pews would be replaced with modern cushioned stackable chairs that could be arranged in a variety of ways. The worn timber floor would be replaced with an insulated, carpeted floor with under-floor heating that would allow more flexible use of the building that could include: modern, traditional, youth and cafeteria-style worship services; Christian youth events and concerts; Holiday Clubs; community events and Christian conferences.

The walls and pine timber panelling of the worship space would be painted in light colour and up-lighters would illuminate the timber roof to give more light in the building. The front platform would be enlarged around the open baptismal pool. Lighting, audio and video projection would be improved while retaining the present control booth at the rear. The original main entrance to the building would be retained for use when requested for traditional services, weddings and funerals. The oak timber panelling (not original) would be removed with sections refitted within the welcome area. The stone pulpit would be moved to a less imposing corner of the Church to allow more space on the front platform.

Phase 1 of the refurbishment work includes the new Welcome Area, the new doorway to the Church and redecoration of the Coffee Area. The work started in February 2007 and is due to be complete by the end of May 2007. Phase 2 of the work involves the refurbishment of the Church and it is hoped that this work would be complete in 2008 in time for the churchÕs centenary celebrations.

The work is costing £170,000 and grants totalling £36,000 were received from landfill tax money of the Waste Recycling group at Milton and distributed by WREN, the Batterson-Chivers foundation and from Evolve EB which distributes landfill tax credits on behalf of Donarbon at Landbeach. The remainder was raised by church members and groups using the buildings.

It is expected that all work will be completed by June 2007.