St Margaret’s Building Project 2026
It’s taken several years, a lot of work and a few new grey hairs from the launch of our fundraising project to get to where we are today, with work about to begin on installing a loo, creating a Sunday School space, a new vestry and kitchen facilities in church.
When work begins in April we expect to be able to hold our services in church as usual, although access may have to be through the small south door into the Lady Chapel.
Outside service times the church will be kept closed for everyone’s safety as it will be a busy building site. At some point during the project further drains will be dug which will necessitate closing path/s round the church but we don’t have full details on this yet. We will do our best to keep you informed both via this website (please check the home page to confirm service details as mid-week services may alter) and facebook.
Along the way we’ve been grateful for your generous support for all the fundraising initiatives. We’ve enjoyed talks by Tom Coward and Tim Baker, concerts by Margaret Watson, Slinfold Concert Band and Michael Heighway, Medieval Banquets, Casino evenings, Garden Parties and many other events. It’s been a real community effort and we don’t take your support for granted.
.
.
The faculty permission has been granted by the Diocese and work is due to begin in April 2026. We’ll try and share progress with you here and on our facebook page.
Our Church Architect, Jonathan Cerowski is leading the design element of our project. Jonathan is a specialist heritage architect who trained under Ptolemy Dean. He is accredited with the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) at SCA (Specialist Conservation Architect) level, as well as with the AABC (Architects Accredited in Building Conservation). He is also a full member of EASA (the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association) which is the professional body focussing on works to church buildings. He sits on the Church of England’s DAC (Diocesan Advisory Committee) for Chichester, and is a Specialist Advisor to the National Trust
In the past Jonathan has worked on nationally important buildings including The Houses of Parliament, National Trust and English Heritage properties, and Historic Hospitals. Internationally he has worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in France, and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in the capital city of Port of Spain.
A quick description of plans, area by area.
Firstly, the Sunday School area. The old vestry, built in 1899, will look unaltered from the outside but inside will be reordered. The exterior profile will remain unaltered.
The WC. This will be in a contained unit at the North West end of the main aisle. Fully accessible, it will align with the organ loft above. A storage cupboard will be built opposite, in the South West corner of the main aisle.
New Vestry. The font will be moved back close to its pre-1935 position beside the pillar and the vestry will be moved to the immediate left of the south door, (incidentally this is where we believe it was sited before 1870). The applied column on the west wall, between the new vestry and the North aisle cupboard, will remain exposed.
The new servery area will be beneath the Baptism of Christ / Emmaus window, to the right of the main South door.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our plans. We aim to make our church welcoming and accessible for those who worship here regularly, for the wider community and for visitors. If you would like to support us financially please visit our giving page where you will find more details. Thank you.