Progress report – 26th January 2023
The staircase is now in place and you can walk up to the mezzanine. At the moment you can see through the chancel arch, but when the work is finished this will all be panelled, with a door at the foot of the stairs, giving direct access from the utility area to the chancel. The door between the clergy vestry and the sanctuary remains in place.
The big window at the top of the stairs is good daylighting and the arch shown in the picture hides the back of the organ pipes, which remain from a much earlier organ at the end of the north aisle. At the top of the stairs the mezzanine area will have space for the choir to store some robes and music. The panelling is not intended to give complete acoustic protection from the main space, but can be used as a meeting room or green room for performers as well as for choir robing.
Our contractors have been in touch with local schools and will be giving some of the St Crispin’s pupils a chance to see the building site in a few weeks time. We are also hoping to hold another open day and are discussing dates with the contractors – 25th February or 4th March.
We are now getting enquiries for using the church for conferences as well as concerts. Its exciting to think that we will soon have a church and not just a building site. Please get the news around any groups you are involved with and talk to The Reverend Hannah if you know anyone who might be interested in using the building for cultural events or community activities.
To finish the work, we still need more funds – even if you have given already, please go to the website and donate today.
Although the building itself is closed, worship continues in The Cornerstone on Sundays (8, 9.30 and 11.15am) and on weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am and Thursday at 9 am) and the bell ringers have access to the tower. There is still access to almost all the churchyard either through the lychgate in London Road or the double gate in Norreys Avenue. The memorials by The Cornerstone and by the vestry door can be accessed by arrangement with the Parish office.
