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Heritage Building Project


For many years at St John’s, we have wrestled with the challenge of balancing the beauty of a listed building against the need for modern facilities - an access ramp, indoor toilets, and a kitchen. We now have a clear vision and plan for our church building that will add much needed facilities whilst preserving the heritage, so that we can truly welcome all and better serve the community.

 

Phase 1 – Completed in 2023/24

  • Adding pew cushions to make the pews more comfortable to use

  • Restoring the baptistry to its original purpose

  • Removing the front 2 rows of pews at the front of the nave to create space for wheelchairs, and enhance the space available for concerts, weddings and funerals

  • Installing hand rails on the chancel steps

  • Installing a ramp at the main door to facilitate access with glass doors in the porch to improve visibility

  • Upgrading the lighting in church to improve visibility and install energy efficient LED lights

 

 

Phase 2 – Launch in 2025

  • Building a new annexe on the south side of the church that will include a kitchen and servery, a toilet with baby changing facilities, and a meeting space

  • Glass doors from the annexe that will open out to the church garden 

  • Internal access via a new door at the back of the nave along with permanent disabled access ramp into the annexe

 

If you have any questions about the building project, please feel free to get in touch with John Goulden, leader of the Heritage Building Project Team: see Contact details.

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The next few years will be a busy and exciting time for St John’s as we draw up plans, consult with all stakeholders, apply for grants and take the work forward. Fundraising has already begun, and there will be a lot more events and appeals to come. If you are able to help in any way, or if you are connected with a local business that might be able to support us, please contact Ali: see Contact details. To donate to the Heritage Building Project, please go to Heritage Building Appeal.

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Sale of Vicarage Field

In order to progress with Phase 2, we need to raise a certain amount of money before we are eligible to apply for grants to support this project. Following an impartial valuation and competitive tender process, the Vicarage Field was sold in March 2025. In securing the sale we adhered fully to the statutory requirements of the Charities Act and Ecclesiastical Law that dictate the terms and conditions for the disposal of a charitable asset and we were delighted to accept an offer for the land to be sold to the Toolerstone Estate."

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