Case Studies
The following case studies cover a variety of development projects, from major reordering to encouraging visitors to come to the church, the provision of toilet and kitchen facilities and a wide range of community uses. They are meant as inspiration for parishes who are thinking of organising something similar in their church and as an illustration of the important role that church buildings play in their communities.
Remember that every church building really is unique, as is its community. What is right for one context may not be right for another, however similar the circumstances may seem to be. It is important for each parish to assess what is right for it - not for its neighbour down the road.
If you know of any other innovative and imaginative projects where churches are enhancing the community uses of their buildings, whether by well-designed physical adaptation of the church building and/or outreach into the wider community please let us know.
All Saints, Northampton, Diocese of Peterborough
All Saints is a Grade I listed building situated in the centre of the town. The church café had been running for over 20 years but needed an upgrade and new facilities. The project aim was to re-energize the building, update the cafe and make people more aware of what the church had to offer.
To view the full case study
click here - All Saints
St. Leonard's, Yarpole, Diocese of Hereford
Yarpole is a small rural village with a population of only 700 people. The project involved an extensive program of re-ordering to accommodate the village shop, post office and numerous community activities in the underused church building.
To view the full case study click here - St Leonards
St. Giles, Langford, Diocese of Chelmsford
St Giles is a Grade II* building in a small parish of only 290 people with no remaining local facilities. The vision behind the project was to make the church more accessible, to provide a service for the village and to create a greater sense of community.
To view the full case study click here - St Giles
St Mary the Virgin, Stannington, Diocese of Newcastle
The Victorian church of St Mary's needed major refurbishment to make it into a flexible and welcoming community space. Facilities were installed, the space was rewired, relit and made fully accessible. In addition the church worked in partnership with the local borough council to establish an IT centre in the base of the tower.
To view the full case study click here - St Marys
St Peter's, Walworth, Diocese of Southwark
St Peter's is a Grade I listed church in south London where the crypt has been converted into a multi-functional community centre. The Inspire centre operates separately from the main church although many of its activities overlap and complement each other. After six years the centre is still sustainable and runs a number of successful partnerships.
To view the full case study click here - St Peters
St Oswald's, Guiseley, Diocese of Bradford
Situated in a former mill town the grade I listed St Oswald's needed to accommodate its active community groups, in particular a large choir without damaging the special character of their building. This was achieved by imaginatively re-organising the existing space and constructing a glazed song room in the side chapel.
To view the full case study click here - St Oswalds
St Philip and St James, Norton St Philip,
Diocese of Bath and Wells
The project at St Philip and St James was to develop a new focus for a village which like many in rural areas had lost its local services. The two storey glass and oak structure known as 'The Hub' provides everything needed for meetings and entertainment.
It allows the church to be used regularly by a wide variety of groups and has helped to engage with the wider community.
To view the full case study click here -
St Peter's, Whatcote, Diocese of Coventry
Whatcote is a tiny rural village that has transformed its church into a community centre with minimal intervention. By installing an ingenious 'kitchen in a cupboard' and creating a lavatory and additional storage space in the tower the church is able to host a diverse range of events.
To view the full case study click here - St Peters
St Hilda's, Hartlepool, Diocese of Durham
Working with the local authority and regional development agency this large grade I listed church has been re-ordered to incorporate a visitor centre. This has been achieved with minimal intervention and without detracting from St Hilda's main function as a place of worship.
To view the full case study click here - St Hildas
St Peter's, Peterchurch, Diocese of Hereford
Grade I listed St Peter's had no facilities when in 2008 the local authority developed a vision with the local community to provide some of the services needed in this rural area within the church building. The project involved an imaginative and high quality refurbishment of the interior to provide amongst other things a branch library and children's centre.
To view the full case study click here - St Peters
The Springfield Project, Springfield,
Diocese of Birmingham
In Springfield the church worked in partnership with Birmingham City Council to build a Children's Centre to deliver core services. In a community with a rich ethnic mix the building is a genuine shared space for the community.
To view the full case study click here - The Springfield Project
St Mary's, Chiddingfold,
Diocese of Guildford
The project entitled 'A room for the future' was to develop a new sustainable grass roofed church room within the churchyard. Although modern in design the church room respects the original church building and provides the extra space needed by the active community.
To view the full case study click here - St Marys
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We will be updating this page regularly with new case studies. If you would like to see your church project featured here please download the Template questions (pdf*).
If you would prefer the template questions as a Word document please contact us.
March 2010
