A CHURCH in Wokingham is preparing to open its doors after months of work to transform its building into an accessible and flexible community meeting space.
As well as continuting to operate as a church, the structure will also be an inspiring venue for arts, cultural and educational events, and a unique place for special occasions.
All Saints Church building project, SpaceForAll, has involved major clearance work, installation of underfloor heating, and the digging of trenches through the graveyard.
During excavations, a vaulted grave was found beneath the choir vestry where supports for a new mezzanine floor were intended to go.
This slowed work temporarily while plans were revised, but the floor is now levelled and ready for stone slabs to be laid.
With the project’s end now in sight the church hopes to be able to invite people in December to step inside and view the changes.
“The building will continue in its primary role as a church,” says the reverend canon David Hodgson, rector of All Saints Church.
“But it’s going to be a more valuable space now, one that can be used by the whole community.
“We want people to see the new space for themselves, and to be insipired by what it can now offer to lots of different groups in Wokingham.”
From spring 2023, the vision is that the new indoor public space will be free for people to come inside every day.
With wifi and heating, and a café operating on most days, it will be a warm and convenient place to meet, chat or work.
“We think it’s a unique venue, and it’s located within four acres of pleasant greenery.
“We very much hope that it will improve the life of the town,” says Revd Hodgson.
He also hopes it will help to tackle some of the difficult issues the community currently faces, such as rising costs and heating bills.
“Anyone will be able to come inside, to keep warm, to meet with their neighbours, to make friends, or take part in activities.
“And community groups and charities will be able to bring their laptops and hold small group meetings here.
We’re excited to see just how people will make use of the space.”
The premises will also be available to hire for bigger meetings, and special events, or for ticketed and closed gatherings.
“We’ll be able to accommodate big events like charity activities, craft fairs, art exhibitions, and concerts.
“And it will be an ideal place to hold conferences, and receptions, such as weddings, baptisms and funerals,” he adds.
“The space will be really flexible, with modular raised staging, 300 seats for big concerts, and café tables able to be configured in lots of different sizes and shapes,” he adds.
The church’s Cornerstone building nearby will still be available too.
This is where regular sessions and activities will continue to be held, but it will also be possible to hire it in conjunction with the new space.
“For example, it could be used as a breakout space for a conference held in the church, or it could be a dressing space for the bride, with the church not only the location of the wedding itself, but of the reception afterwards too.” explains rev Hodgson.
The church’s SpaceForAll project will have cost around £1.3 million to complete once it is fully finished.
“We’re still looking to raise around another £100,000,” he adds.
“We’d like to be able to open in spring with all the right equipment and all the finishing touches.
“It would be great to have all the chairs, tables, and staging in place by then.”
All Saints Church hopes to open its doors for people to see the transformation on Saturday, December 10, between 10am and noon.
Those interested are advised to check the website before attending.
For information about the project and the church, visit: www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk
