Renovation Programme

The new underfloor heating was specially designed for listed buildings, with the kind of damp problems that St Mary’s has. The technology does not sit on a concrete base, rather on a bed of expanded glass insulation, which will allow the building to breathe. It will maintain an ambient temperature to prevent  deterioration.  The underfloor heating connects to a new boiler, which has enabled the system to move from oil to bio LPG as the energy source. 

Photograph: St Mary's, Stebbing, showing the underfloor heating

Once the old heating system was out of the way and the new underfloor technology was installed, the floor was levelled. Accessibility was a big concern, so the church has now become step free from the entrance door through to the communion rail in the chancel.  From the porch, with its electric doors and all the way through to the chancel, the floor is completely level. The final floor finish used a mix of old bricks and new bricks that match the previous flooring surface. Materials were reused and repurposed wherever possible throughout this project.  Some of the pew ends were repurposed within the new furniture.

Photograph: St Mary's, Stebbing, showing level floor

Once the building has a level floor, new chairs will allow the building a wide range of flexible uses. New seating and storage will be designed for the South West and North West corners of the nave. Spaces will be created in the Chancel for small groups and quiet times. The sound desk will have a new position and secure storage. This will help keep the sacred space of the church tidy and free of clutter.

Photograph: St Mary's, showing level floor with flexible seating 

The wall painting on north wall of the nave needs conservation. Professional conservators have assessed this painting and will stabilise and clean the artwork. In keeping with restoration best-practice, no new works will be done. The two models of the church which date from 1851 have now been restored and one is on display inside the church.

Photograph: The wall painting on the north wall of the nave

The damp inside the church caused the plasterwork to break into pieces in many places.  The lime plaster was repaired and the building was repainted.

New inner doors have been fitted to the porch in the South aisle. These doors are glass, providing a more welcoming entrance, allowing light in and helping to reduce the draughts. The inner porch doors were retained and pinned open.

Photograph: St Mary's, showing the inner glass door

The electrical installation was upgraded to remove the current extension cords which powered items within the building. Ducting was included under the floor and safe power sockets are located around the church building to provide power wherever it may be needed.

The lighting system was upgraded to take advantage of new, more energy efficient technology. The current chancel lights had failed, and the nave was only lit in the side aisles. New lighting technology now illuminates architectural features and provides many more options for lighting different types of events and services.

Photograph: St Mary's, Stebbing, new spotlights