Re-ordering of St. Mary's Church

Background
Wheaton Aston has a population of approximately 2,300, living in very varied accommodation, which has mostly been built in the last thirty years, including a greater than average proportion of Housing Association properties. All age groups are represented in the village, creating demand for a broad scope of pastimes and activities. The village lies just north of the A5, at least nine miles from Telford, Wolverhampton and Stafford, with a typical rural bus service providing the only public transport.

Need
The church community has to hold children�s and young people�s groups in unsuitable locations, as well as prayer meetings and more intimate services in the large cold nave of the church. Many people are reluctant to attend services and functions because there is not a toilet. No kitchen facilities mean refreshments cannot be served.

Wheaton Aston only has an over-subscribed Village Hall in the centre, and a small Social Club on the outskirts, both with limited facilities to service all functions for Wheaton Aston and its surrounding hamlets and villages. It has no Library, Caf�, or any kind of location to act as a meeting place or 'drop in' for the community. At present St Mary�s Church is only suitable for traditional church services.

Wheaton Aston has a growing problem with anti-social behaviour from its young people, who are engaging in vandalism and are intimidating residents.

The facilities for the senior citizens are totally oversubscribed, and there are many without transport, who are lonely and largely confined to the village.

Intent
To convert the traditional interior of St Mary's Church into a welcoming, practical and flexible environment that can be used by the whole of the local community throughout the week.
This conversion will involve: � removing the pews, and replacing them by flexible comfortable seating � installing a fully equipped kitchen � installing a disabled toilet � putting glass panelling and glass doors between the nave and the sanctuary, to provide the flexibility of two different sized rooms or a single large space � re-installing the gallery to provide additional seating � converting the Lady Chapel into a private vestry/office � installing a cost effective heating system, a completely new lighting system throughout and a flexible sound system, including a loop system.

Benefits

• This large building in a prime central location, will be used and enjoyed by the whole village, every day of the week. It will become the �beating heart� of the village.
• There will be a suitable location for people of all ages to attend a variety of Christian groups, eg Alpha, Youth Alpha.
• The project will provide a multi-functional venue for people with disabilities, older people, young people, parents and toddlers, to participate in large and small activities and events, which at present do not have available or suitable accommodation.
• A regular �drop in� centre providing a meeting place, company, light refreshments and daily newspapers will be held for the senior citizens. (A survey of all senior citizens in the village has shown overwhelming support for a 'drop in' to be run in this location).
• Possibilities of working with appropriate agencies are being investigated, to provide constructive facilities such as parenting classes, and a youth caf� for the young people of the village.

Sustainability
The building is already managed and run efficiently, with no outstanding debt; its new status will increase its running efficiency as well as earning power, although its intention is to serve the community, not to make money.

The track record of the PCC (the organisation delivering the project) and the many people of all ages connected with this organisation, who deliver clubs, welfare and support in the community, is a sound indication of the project's ability to succeed and continue long term.

Powerpoint Presentation
A series of computer generated pictures of how the interior of St. Mary's Church will look after the re-ordering.
Click here to view the powerpoint presentation (4Mb file).

Plans
There are two plans which you can see. Both are pdf files which you will be able to download and view at your leisure.

1: Click here to download the plan view of the proposed alterations.

2: Click here to download the cross section view of the proposed alterations.