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Church Case Studies
Holy Trinity Church, Little Woolstone, Milton Keynes
The church was closed in 1981 and then re-opened as a village hall. The local community grew to such a size that they once again needed somewhere to worship so the Church is used for services again as well as being the local community building.
Historical information
Holy Trinity Church, Little Woolstone, dates from the 13th century. The church is built from limestone rubble and consists of a chancel and nave with a south porch. In 1662 three bells were cast by Anthony Chandler, the bellcote being added around 1450. The south porch was added around the early 16th century. The church underwent much restoration during the mid 1800s, a roof restoration in 1854, the chancel rebuilt and the north vestry added in 1861. William Smith paid for more restoration of the interior in the Decorated style and was also responsible for the rebuilding of the road front of the churchyard wall. A plaque inside the church to the memory of Dorothy Pattison reads as follows: "To the memory of Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison, better known as Sister Dora, who worked for three years loving and beloved as a school mistress in this parish. She afterwards laboured amongst the sick and dying at Walsall where she entered into rest on Xmas Eve 1878." taken from the parish church leaflet. |
St Mary’s Church, Burston, Norfolk
The pews were removed and a beech sprung floor was laid in the late 1980's. A small kitchen and toilet facilities were added in the 90's. Burston has no village hall as such and the church is used for variety of community activities. This includes functioning as the primary school gym, parish council meeting space and a venue for range of other activities including dance lessons, birthday parties and luncheon clubs. The funding for the renovation (Approximately £60K) was raised entirely by the church following an initial bequest. A lettings policy operates and a small charge is made for the use of the facilities which covers running costs etc. A friends group has been established to support continued fundraising efforts for ongoing maintenance and repair works. |
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St Andrew’s Church, Scole, Norfolk
The church roof was replaced following a fire in the 1960's and a kitchen and toilets were installed as part of the restoration works. The majority of the pews were removed in 1999 and a heavy duty natural fibre floor covering installed. The church hosts a number of community activities including coffee mornings, lunch clubs, activity days, holiday clubs and arts/musical events. It is the base for the village youth club and a film club (see photograh). Although the church managed to fund the capital works, grants for supporting community activities have been received from Awards for All and the Local Network Fund. A simple lettings policy is in operation which once again helps to offset some of the management and maintenance costs. |
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Gunnerton Church, Northumberland
A community space was created in Gunnerton Church, a grade 1 listed building, where the rear pews were removed to create a small kitchen, WC and community space. The Font at the rear was moved to the front. The project moved at quite a pace; from initial contact with Northumberland Community Action to finalization was only about 18 months. Contact NCA for more information. |
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