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Transformation Progress 2023Download Transformation Project Pledge Form Pledge Form
Download Summary Leaflet Leaflet Nov 23a |
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Faculty Notice Faculty noticeProject Review Oct 28 | Download | ||||||
THE ST MARY’S CHURCH GODMANCHESTER CHURCH TRANSFORMATIO PROJECT – Background Paper | |||||||
DocumentationStatement of Need – Click Here to View Proposed Floor Plan – Click Here to View Proposed Gallery Plan – Click Here to View Proposed Church Section – Click Here to View Concept Illustration – Click Here to View |
In 2009 the Lent Group report to the Mission Action Plan Committee recommended development of the church facilities by:
The church had raised almost £40,000 in the development fund and the then Architect had produced some outline drawings, but the project was not progressed.By 2016 it became apparent that:
The original thoughts were triggered by a visit to Norton St Philip, Somerset where they had installed a hub in NW corner consisting of Office, Toilet, kitchen area and meeting room above.This resulted in the formation of the Development Group whose initial work was based on:
The group was officially sanctioned by the PCC and invited to continue their work developing a list of requirements including toilets, facilities for making hot drinks, a parish office and a choir vestry and meeting room, all capable of being heated independently, and the replacement of the pews with high quality chairs on a level, heated stone floor.We also looked at the possible replacement of the church hall, tied in with the development of the vicarage garden, but we have not been able to progress that suggestion, so the hall will have to last for another at least 10 years or so.We have had inputs from various sources including recent drawings from our church architect and some useful drawings from Don Harris, a retired architect from our congregation. While this paperwork was proceeding we decided to visit churches that had developed their building, removed pews or fitted glass doors to the west end. These were:
As part of our enquiries to provide a warm environment we looked at various heating options as we wished to include under floor heating in at least part of the church. We discussed the pros and cons of ground sourced heat pumps and solar panels and had a meeting with the director of the firm that manages our boiler to seek his opinion on the best use of the existing heating and the most effective way of heating the new offices.Having produced a rough idea of what we required we invited the secretary of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches to visit us to seek her advice on what would be readily acceptable and where we may have difficulties in obtaining approval. Her feeling was that we would have an easier time if we concentrated our building in the north aisle and tower area so as not to spoil the vista of the nave and that we may we have some problems getting agreement to remove the pews although she felt that nothing is impossible.By this time, we felt that we had enough information to brief an architect and because of our research we recommended to the PCC that they accept Caroe Architecture as our architect and authorised the expenditure for their work from the Development Fund. This was agreed by an extraordinary meeting of the PCC.Caroe Architecture proposed work up to the development of an approved Concept Design (RIBA Stage 3) up to and including obtaining approval from the relevant bodies (DAC, English Heritage etc.). They also proposed, as a prelude to their design work, a digital laser survey of the whole church. As well as forming the basis of their design this would provide a very accurate 3D image of the church internally and externally as a historical record and also the basis for any further work. This was discussed with the survey company who confirmed that this was the minimum required for the project.Work was then started in conjunction with Caroe Architecture to produce a ‘Statement of Need’ and a final set of plans to meet those needs.Progress to date (5 Oct 18):
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