185 years on Lansdown!
St Stephen's has been an indelible part of so many people's lives; it has witnessed countless pivotal moments in life time journeys. We have laughed together, cried together, supported each other through moments of rejoicing, of sadness, of fellowship and of faith.
Now St Stephen's has its own moment of drama and challenge! It needs vital repair, urgent updating, critical re-imagining to ensure that it remains a presence not just on Bath's northern skyline, but as a valued and much needed worship and community centre not just for Lansdown, but for Bath and beyond.
THE BEACON OF LANSDOWN PROJECT is our response to this challenge, a multi-million pound project to create a building not just for today, but for tomorrow and countless years thereafter.
REPAIR
St Stephen's has for the past few years been undergoing a structural movement monitoring programme and acting further to suitable professional advice, as we seek to remedy concerning structural issues.
FLEXIBLE
The building needs to be reconfigured to make it a flexible worship and community event space so that we can better accommodate concerts, community classes and activities, meetings and talks of varying capacity, life event celebrations and other special events.
UPDATE
Our facilities are out of date, and expensive both to maintain and run. We need upgrades to lighting, AV, acoustics, heating, plumbing and kitchen facilities. We also need to be fully accessible both for external access, but also for internal travel between church and crypt/centre.
SUSTAINABLE
We are aiming to become a sustainable and eco friendly building, efficient to use and economic to run.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE
St Stephen’s last major repairs were nearly 20 years ago; the crypt/centre development over 30 years ago. We are now urgently in need of a major initiative.
In total the Beacon of Lansdown project could cost an estimated c. £4m.
We are dividing this into two project phases, to ensure that the church can remain in use throughout.
Phase 1: Updating/upgrading of facilities in the Crypt (current Church Centre)
Updating and upgrading lighting & AV, acoustics, kitchen and toilet facilities to create a flexible and atmospheric meeting space.
We want to create a Crypt with a distinct nod to yesterday's heritage but which also provides every necessary facility for today's users.
A paramount concern is to make the church building fully accessible via installation of a lift & improved stairway connectivity between upstairs and downstairs.
Phase 2:
Reconfigure the main church by removing pews to create a flexible worship, performance & community event space
Refurbishment, expansion and upgrade of the foyer & associated facilities
Installation of cost effective and eco friendly lighting & heating upstairs
Upgrading audio visual and sound facilities throughout the building
Refurbishment of the organ
Undertake any necessary repairs and underpinning to the north-west corner/northern end of the church as may be identified as a result of the ongoing structural monitoring
WHAT WILL YOUR SUPPORT MEAN FOR ST STEPHEN'S AND THE COMMUNITY?
The creation of a vibrant and inclusive church with a varied worship life, a joyful musical tradition and a warm welcome to all!
A lively well-used building buzzing with activities, thriving as a community hub and working in partnership with external agencies to support the ever-growing community needs.
INCLUSIVE WORSHIP
Our church will continue to be a source of inspiration, comfort and support for all and at any time.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Our outreach to families and young people can grow - a fundamental need for a healthy church.
HOSPITALITY GROUPS
Cafe-style gatherings for new & old neighbours, those alone, memory challenged plus stressed carers. Current groups are flourishing but need to expand.
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
Concerts, rehearsals and performances will still be presented, but grow for the enjoyment and uplift of all.
LIFE EVENTS
St Stephen's will still rejoice, cry and celebrate with you.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
More local meetings, special interest and activity groups, lectures and talks for all ages can be hosted at St Stephen's.
HERITAGE
An important Grade II* listed building with fabulous interior detailing will be saved.
SCHOOL SUPPORT
Local schools can be welcomed for extra seasonal celebrations. These contacts lead to lifelong affection and value for our church and its faith.
ECO CREDENTIALS
Our project will be a unique test case for Bath University engineering & architecture students to explore options to create a sophisticated, sustainable, energy efficient heritage building. St Stephen's can become a project example for other churches and heritage buildings seeking similar upgrades.
Most importantly, our church will be efficient to operate and cost-effective to run.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Flexible, efficient and contemporary facilities will enable the church to generate vital income from increased but sympathetic commercial activities. This income will help both to support an expanded community outreach programme but also pay our basic 'household' bills.
Churches don't receive any state or Church funding, so all income must be generated from parish giving and commercial ventures. To survive, we must be alive!
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OUR CHURCH HAS A PROFOUND FAITH, A HUGE HEART, WIDE WELCOMING ARMS AND A JOYFUL SMILE FOR EVERYONE, BUT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT OUR DOORS WILL CLOSE FOR EVER.