The Parish Church of St. Mary
Alderbury and Whaddon

Part of the Clarendon Team of Churches

Phase One - Completed!

The following work has already been completed - and you are welcome to come and inspect!

• Removal tea bar at the west end of the nave, lower floor, and provide new cupboarding and tea bar.
• Resetting the Font at the west end.
• Provision of internal toilet.
• Provision of flower arrangers sink and cupboards in the present choir vestry.
• Removal of 2 Front Row pews
• Removal of two easternmost pews in nave and lower floor to give space for music group.
• Removal of 'Radnor' pews from West End
• Provide new cupboards for choir in North Transept.
• Provision of new car park for 27 cars adjoining Parish Burial Ground.
• Redecoration throughout the church.

‘Old’

‘New’

Original 'tea bar' at the West End

Font near the North Transept

South Transept showing front rows of pews

Front of church showing additional 'space'

Main entrance showing drab decoration

Same view after repainting

Later Priorities

• Remove pews and replace with chairs on lowered floor throughout the church.
• New heating and lighting schemes.
• Chancel alterations to give more spacious setting for the altar.

The work completed so far has cost in excess of £81,000. This sum has been raised entirely by the church community, through generous giving, and various fund raising events. On top of the above, we are now faced with a large bill to complete essential maintenance work to the Spire. If you would like to contribute to our refurbishment fund, then we would love to hear from you!

New Hospitality Cupboards at West End

Chuch Refurbishment Project

Proposed Works

The internal arrangements of the church remain very largely unaltered since the church was built in 1858 and these limit the way in which the building can be used for both worship and secular activities. In addition current legal requirements, particularly for access mean that certain alterations must be undertaken. The PCC has prepared a long term plan for the various alterations and improvements, not forgetting the need to provide for foreseeable fabric repairs as they become necessary.

Phase Two - Completed!

We have had considerable problems with the Halogen flood lights used within the church for some years. Due to their age, the tubes regularly blew, and because of the height of the lamps, changing a tube was a major operation. With new legislation on working at height, something had to be done. We embarked on a project to replace the Halogen lamps with LED technology. Although obtaining the lights - and a good electrician - was not a problem, getting safe access to the lamps to replace them proved a real hurdle. In the end the Stone Mason who was working on the exterior of the building provided a light tower inside the building for the electrician to use. He was able to move the tower as the work progressed - and it even fitted between the pews (just!). Our church building is now much brighter, the lighting costs less to run, and we have improved our Green Credentials.

Work in Progress

The final result….. Far brighter!