Foundations for Comfort

Inside the church there is what looks like a tangle of wires and pipes snaking across the floor, and you might wonder what on earth is going on.

But behind what looks like organised chaos is an incredibly skilled team working hard to bring this historic building into the future.

The blue "wires" you see? That’s actually a continuous pipe that will soon carry warm water as part of our new underfloor heating system. Keeping an old building like this warm isn’t just about comfort—it’s essential for preventing damp and preserving the structure for generations to come. The floor will act as a giant radiator, keeping temperatures steady. But, given the size of the space, we’re also installing additional wall radiators to ensure everyone stays warm through the winter months.  The metal casing you see running along the floor and walls is there to protect and organize the electrical wiring. Think of it as a protective tunnel that keeps all the wires safely enclosed, preventing damage and keeping everything neat and secure. It also makes future maintenance or upgrades much easier, as electricians can access the wires without having to dig into walls or floors.

Last week, we welcomed over 36 visitors to our second Take A Look tour. Adrian from Bakers of Danbury shared insights into the work completed so far, explaining why these updates are so important and how the new heating system will work. He also gave a fascinating talk about the process of making new bricks—unlike modern house bricks, these can’t just be bought in bulk! Instead, they are carefully crafted to match the originals, and this summer, a staggering 20,000 bricks will be laid to complete the church floor.

Visitors also had the chance to explore floor plans, photos, and displays before stepping through the vestry into the chancel to see the work up close.  

You can view our video on the underfloor heating and electrics here.

And coming up next? The final layer of limecrete will be poured next week—another big milestone in our restoration journey!