The Open House Project
- an extension to the church and link with the Parish Centre built in 1996
1. Introduction
1.1 The present church was built in approximately 1870 as a chapel for the village of Shottery. Its amenities have hardly been upgraded since then and its seating, lighting and access to cloakrooms are all inadequate to meet the current requirements for a church for the enlarged community of Shottery.
1.2 In 1996, we completed Phase 1 of the Open House Project, which was to build a Parish Centre to replace the "port-a-cabin" that had been in use since the early 1980's. This project, which cost £240,000, is a great success. Over 30 organisations of all different kinds now use the hall and comment favourably on its amenities, welcoming ambiance and architectural design. The Parish Centre was nominated by the Shottery Village Association and short-listed for the District Council's "Celebration of Excellence" Design Award.
1.3 The second part of the scheme, incorporating the church extension, was designed as an integral whole by the same architect at the time of Phase 1. Importantly, as well as providing more space in the church, the second phase links the two new buildings and gives access from the church to theamenities already built as part of Phase 1.
2. Facilities to be provided.
2.1 The extension is to be built to the south of the present church and will add some 800 sq. ft or 60% to the area of the present building. Architecturally, the rooflines follow the lines of the church and of the new Parish Centre. The extension is set back from Church Lane and behind the existing entrance porch that will be retained. Please see the artist's impression (Attachment 1) and floor plan (Attachment 2).
2.2. In addition to the extra space provided, the extension willprovide improved access in two respects. The existing rear double-doors of the Parish Centre willbecome the main internal entrance to the church, allowing direct access from the car park through the welcome area of the Parish Centre. The access at the west (Church Lane) end will also be improved.
2.3 The complete project involves:
* Building Work * Heating
* Roofing * Furnishing and Decorating
* Lighting * Enlarging and moving the organ
* PA system * Vestry
The church roof needs to be re-slated and insulated and this work will be carried out at the same time as the roofing for the extension. The electrical and heating systems will be modernised and upgraded. Additional seating will be provided and some re-arrangement of the church will be necessary. Eventually, it may prove beneficial to enlarge the organ and move the organ console so that the sound is more evenly distributed throughout the building. (Most of the organ pipes are at present located in the vestry). Finally, the vestry itself will be altered once its role as the only thoroughfare to the Parish Centre has been superseded.
3. Benefits
3.1 In itself a building project such as the one proposed does not achieve anything. It is the way the building is used and how this use is perceived that have an impact. For example, the Parish Centre is widely used by residents of Shottery and Bishopton and people from further afield in the Stratford district and is achieving the original objective of providing a medium sized facility with a warm ambiance. It does not compete with the larger halls in the town. It is also widely regarded as an architectural asset in the area.
3.2 The project is called the Open House Project because we want to make St. Andrew's a relevant and important part of the lives of the people of Shottery in both a religious and community sense. The extra facilites and modernisation provided by the Open House project will enable us to provide more variety in our worship and services and to provide a warmer welcome before and after the services to people outside our present fellowship. In particular, we are seeking ways to engage with younger people and families, whilst retaining the strong support that already exists from the older members of the community.
3.3 The specific benefits arise from three aspects of the project - more space, better access and greater flexibility.
3.3.1 Space related benefits: There are certain services when the present church cannot accommodate the people wishing to join in. In the past, people had to be turned away. Now they are accommodated in the Parish Centre with a sound relay provided. This is still unsatisfactory. These occasions arise on major festivals (Christmas, Easter, etc), baptisms and funerals - in other words when non-regular churchgoers expect their local parish church "to be there for them".
3.3.2 The population of Shottery is expanding rapidly. When the church was built the population was approximately 200. Ten years ago when the Open House project was first conceived the population was about 6,500. Now there is extensive new house building going on in the parish. There are some 10 new or current housing developments within one mile radius of the church and at St. Andrews we want to be able to properly welcome these newcomers.
3.3.3 Access related benefits: At present, although there is a disabled access ramp to the Parish Centre, there is no suitable disabled access to the church. There is also nowhere suitable in the church for people in wheel chairs to join in the service. At present, there is no direct access to toilets or cloakrooms from the church; youngsters and old people have to go outside to reach the facilities in the Parish Centre.
3.3.4 Flexibility related benefits: The additional space that will be provided will also enable us to use the whole church more flexibly. For example, there will be space for a larger music group. In order to add variety to the forms of service, it will be possible to incorporate drama. The lighting system will also be flexible to reflect the size of the congregation and the type of service. The extended church, together with the amenities of the Parish Centre and the existing car parking will be valuable as a facility for concerts and performances.
4. Costs
The estimated cost of the project is over £200,000 but we will be able to start work on the extension when we have reached a figure of c. £150,000. Work on the organ and the vestry, which is eventually planned, will wait until later.
5. Fund Raising
5.1 The fund raising has been going on for some years and at the end of 2002 the total had reached £140,000. This includes a generous grant of £30,000 from the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust. Other fund-raising sources have included regular donations and fund-raising events. Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon has provided an interest free loan to help the finances.
5.2 Fund-raising is continuing and the church has planned a series of activities during 2003.
6. Timing
We expect to be able to start building work in summer 2003.
Further information and contacts:
Further information concerning the Open House Project can be obtained from:
Mr. T. R. Wightman, Revd. J. Warren,
Chairman - Working Party, Vicar,
Arden House, St. Andrew's Vicarage,
Rowley Crescent, Church Lane,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Shottery,
CV37 6UT Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9HQ
Tel: 01789 292664 Tel: 01789 293381