Web Edition of

Grange Gazette

A news sheet for the reordering of St. Andrew's Church - Date: July 16th 2008
 

Re-ordering Project

Update

 

Sometime ago the Vision and Strategy Group asked the members of the congregation its view on how the church building could be redeveloped, based solely upon the  findings of the congregation a set of plans were drawn up by an architect, alterations that would ultimately cost over £400,000.

Clare McKenzie our Church and Community Development worker has been asking the community the same questions, by putting both sets of answers together the PCC is now asking the congregation the following set of  ‘tough questions’ and to consider a set of ‘Viable Alternatives’.

bullet In the current economic climate can the current congregation raise at least £400,000?
bullet Considering the current size of the congregation do we need the building to be made larger than it already is?
bullet How long can we afford to pay £700 per quarter to heat the building in its present size?
bullet Have we considered how large the carbon footprint of St. Andrew’s Church is with most of the heat escaping through the roof, floor and windows?

Do we currently use the space inside the church to the best of our ability?

The PCC recognises that the church building needs to change to allow it to become a centre for the community, it needs new toilets, a kitchen and a new more welcoming entrance, the PCC asks the congregation to consider the questions opposite and also to consider the following ‘Viable Alternatives’ to the current plans:

Re-model the building within the existing structure.

bullet Make better use of the internal space.
bullet Create meeting spaces by using either partition walls or removable screens.
bullet Make smaller rooms which are easier to heat and light, allowing the building to have multiple usage.
bullet Reduce the worship space whilst the congregation is of a smaller size.
bullet Carpet the floor to improve comfort and increase insulation.
bullet Install more comfortable seating.
bullet Install new mixed colour windows to add ambience and to improve insulation.
bullet Lower our Carbon Footprint.
bullet Install new toilets.
bullet Install a new kitchen with mobile counter and units.
bullet Build a new sealed entrance area.

 

Please consider and pray about the ‘tough questions’ and the set of ‘Viable Alternatives’ that the PCC has presented, please give your comments to Gordon Lester or Ken Wooldridge ASAP in readiness for a meeting with the architect, Janice Mason from the diocese and the Vision and Strategy Group where a new more realistic and more cost effective set of plans that will benefit both the community within the church and the community that it lives in will be planned.

 

 

St Andrew's actively

SEEKING PARTNERS

St. Andrew's Church is at the planning stage of a major reordering of the Church and Church Hall complex.

       Elsewhere on this page, we have announced that Mrs. Clare McKenzie has joined the Vision and Strategy Group as Church and Community Development Worker.

Clare is currently getting to know us and is busy networking with various agencies, building  bridges and making links within the community. The priority is to source areas of need, we as a church with a multifunctional building can support.

    If you are a community based organisation (i.e. Morris dance group) or agency looking to relocate to a permanent and convenient area, central to the Grange Housing Estate, then why not enquire whether at this planning stage we can meet your aspirations. The planned changes will be actioned in phases with completion envisaged in two years. 

 

 Church Hall Update.

 

The Church Hall is still boarded up. The Chester Diocesan Advisory Board who own the Church Hall, have had the building surveyed. We believe the structure of the building is still  sound although a lot of renovation work will be required to modernise the building.. Some further  temporary remedial work has been carried out to make the building safe. 

 

We hope eventually to return this building to the community but that decision will be taken in the future

 

The priority first, is to renovate the Church building We are currently working with other agencies to identify facilities to provide for the community that will not duplicate  amenities already established.

 

We look on you, our community, for your support. Please help our fund raising efforts by supporting our functions.

To familiarize

yourself of the scope

of the project,

please read the

 introductory page.

 

Our Priest-in-Charge

the Rev'd Dr. Udobata Onunwa explains our project

 

Our Patron

Bishop Peter of Chester lends his support

------------------------

Dear God,

Thank you for answering our prayers when we've needed you. Today we’ve just called in to say

‘Hello is there anything we can do for you?’

The Parochial Church Council is pleased to announce we have appointed a Church & Community Development Worker. The person appointed is Mrs Clare McKenzie. Clare joined us on Monday April 21st and was welcomed by our Vision and Strategy Group. During the initial few weeks Clare will be getting to know us and evaluating the scope of the project. The priority will be the reordering the Church.

                             The Journey So Far and The Way Forward

 

As we near the end of a year of change at St. Andrew’s I would like to share with you discussions at a Vision & Strategy Meeting on Friday November 30th, appropriately St. Andrew’s Day.

1. We looked at some important issues- The Journey So Far and The Way Forward, where we are now, where we are going, and how to get there.  It was more of stocktaking exercise. We saw the need for Slow and Steady Progress and not a rushed enterprise.


2 The planned consultation with Halton Housing Trust did not take place on 5th Dec. We shall wait for another date when we would meet. Meanwhile, they have us in mind and are interested in the project.

 On the national level, we are doing well in the light of Diocesan Guideline and Estimation.

 

3 We took the time to review the Progress of Re-ordering Project-


   i. The First Step is already taken- Statement of Need.
   ii. Getting the Diocese on our side
   iii Following Diocesan Guideline , step by step
   iv. Getting the temporary conceptual sketch from the architect
   v. Success in the First Major Funding Application-
       Church Urban Fund Grant
The next phase is now sourcing for more Funds.
  i. Intensify our Fund Raising Efforts
  ii. Get the Development Worker to help in Fund Raising.
  iii. Intensify our prayers- and not be discouraged.
  iv. Continue to network with would-be supporters.
  V  Meeting with the architect to discuss suggested changes.


 WE SHALL BEGIN MAJOR PHYSICAL WORK ONLY WHEN WE HAVE GOT ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE ON THE FIRST PHASE. 
 
4 We noticed that we must emphasize that everyone should know that the Reordering takes  a gradual and slow steps. No one rushes into it. It needs, planning, funding and time. It took many other churches time to arrive where we are at present. We need to be patient, take one step after the other. When we raise enough money, we embark on the next phase. The architect will advise us on The Way Forward.  So that is our position as of now. No one is in a hurry or should fly when we should walk. We need all hands on deck and all knees on the ground. Together we shall make it.


That is the Journey So Far. No one should have unrealistic expectations. We are on the Right Track. Yours in Christ

Your Vision and Strategy Team

Pictures (click on picture to enlarge, back button to return)

Pictured below. View of area of proposed reordering

1.Existing entrance to be relocated.

2. Remedial work on roof, lantern and east window.

3. East window.

4. Google Earth, showing Church, Church Hall & Vicarage.

    Picture taken before trees in church grounds (not Vicarage)

    removed for safety concerns.

5. Conceptual View of interior of church after reordering.

Conceptual Drawings

Conceptual Drawings of the planned reordering are on display in the church foyer

CLICK on picture 5 below for a an idea of the interior concept view..

 

(1) (2)(3)(4)(5)
The above drawing is the Architects impression of what the new extension to St. Andrew's Church will look like. The key word here is conceptual, the master drawings are some way down the line as all the discussions on the legalities and specific use of a multipurpose building are actively being formulated and amendments to our vision are considered. 

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