St Andrew’s Church

Originally built in the Norman period and remaining a site of worship ever since, St Andrew’s Church was largely rebuilt in the Victorian era. The elegant Grade II* Listed building is home to an active congregation with strong links to the local community. Aspirations for the project include making the church building multi-functional while celebrating it as a place of worship, reviving the separate church hall for community use, and improving accessibility around the wider grounds.

The refurbishment of the church centres around the insertion of a new timber structure, creating a mezzanine floor, community café and integrated administration spaces. Carefully crafted in response to the churches existing geometry, the mezzanine provides a flexible space that extends into the tower, becoming a dedicated family room. At ground level, a new stage brings focus to the worship space while new WCs and storage meet practical needs. New underfloor heating, driven by air-source heat pumps, improve the church’s environmental performance.

The church hall is redesigned to provide a warm and playful space for the wider community. Existing ceilings are to be removed, opening-up the full height of the space, while sliding acoustic panels allow for concurrent uses. Interior materials and new lighting brighten the space. Externally, new ramps will overcome level changes and the children’s play space is to be refreshed.