St Mary's Re-Awakening Project: Progress Update
By Barry Richardson
16 June 2025 A view of the sun set against the spire with St. Mary’s cradled with scaffolding, which seems to me to perfectly capture a Re-awakening.
I recently had the opportunity to join a group of volunteers for another internal viewing of ongoing building works within St Mary's. This visit served as a powerful reminder of the diverse range of volunteer roles and skills used within a church for its ministry. From floristry and choral work, to photography and writing, and many others which collectively enhance church life.
During that visit, we all shared insightful and often amusing anecdotes from the Re-Awakening Project, many of which would make excellent material for future blog posts.
Visible Progress Inside St Mary's
Internal building work has reached a significant point, with the space increasingly resembling a church rather than a construction site.
The ‘enhanced crossing' now provides a considerably larger public and performance area. While currently reminiscent of a railway track bed (quite apt for a two railway-station town), the potential of this transformational space is beginning to appear and will serve to open out the view from the nave (the main area where people sit) when completed.
The ‘enclosed pod space' in the North aisle now cleared, featuring a new concrete base and all essential service pipes present and ducting laid. This is a delicate piece of work within any structure, more so a protected building and feels like a ‘first fix’ in an extension. This area will form a stunning view, looking "up and out" to the stained-glass windows.
The café area in the South aisle is beginning to take shape although no orders could be placed (yet!). As is seen in the accompanying photo, this is at ‘second fix’ stage with the services and basic structure in place.
The pod space and cafe are situated internally adjacent to the 13th Century tower (c.1220). I find it fascinating to think that there are 800 years between the building of the tower, and these new additions - showing both the continuity of use and the continued capacity for change within this venerable building.
Stained Glass Restoration and Project Outlook
The restoration of the stained glass in the clerestory windows (located high above the Choir) contains fully restored glass panels which are radiating beautiful, warm light throughout the building.
In conclusion, the Re-Awakening is clearly past the half-way stage, and is currently on track for completion this year. It was particularly interesting to hear chatter about "what's next" with individuals already looking to the future, indicating exciting future discussions and potential future blog content.
In summary, the Re-Awakening Project is delivering significant visible internal and external changes and the building now returns to looking and feeling like a Church. The accompanying photos should help in appreciating the transformations that will help preserve and enhance this enchanting building for the benefit of the current and next generation.