15/06/2026
PROJECT INSPIRE UPDATE - 15 JUNE 2026
Lots of progress has been made in the last month!
The main floor has gradually been built up in layers over the existing Victorian tiles - lots of insulation, trunking and cabling, the underfloor heating pipes, natural cork around the edges and pillars, and now a 10cm layer of limecrete. This limecrete now has to set and dry over the next month before the final layer of limestone tiles can be laid.
(After the floor is completed, scaffolding can be erected inside the church for complete redecoration, window cleaning, and for installation of a new AV system and LED lighting.)
As the floor level is now higher, for greater accessibility throughout the whole area, the existing wooden doors have had to be cut down to size to fit their new surroundings. These wonderful doors have been carefully preserved and represent some of the oldest features of the church.
The two new air source heat pumps have been installed behind the church in a wooden enclosure, with underground pipes running into the old boiler room under the south side of the church. This underground plant room now houses the controls for the underfloor heating system, which can also be boosted by some trench heaters in the floor. We hope this will make the whole church much warmer and more welcoming in the winter months!
The congregation has also had an opportunity to test out some different samples of stackable wooden chairs which allows for a much more flexible seating arrangement. The proposed chairs will also have book rests, fittings to allow them to link together, and at least 10% will have arms. The new seating is a key component of 'Project Inspire', allowing us to have much more flexible space for the whole community.
Work continues on designing supports for the new solar panels array to go on the south roof. This is an important feature of our plans to have a net zero carbon church building. Additional generated energy can be fed back into the grid.
>> There is lots to give thanks for and we continue to pray that God would bless this reordering and restoration of St. Lawrence church!
