If you are providing spaces for children’s work, you may need small areas you can combine or close off from each other to cater for different- sized groups, now or in the future. Consider what would be your ideal – and then how far you would be prepared to compromise if costs or other factors forced you to cut back.


people’s reactions? Here you need to list various stakeholders and consider both their immediate and eventual responses. Examples include your present congregation, your occasional visitors, other users, the local community, and any national or local protest/ heritage groups. If you plan to alter a historic building, there may be opposition. Plan a careful consultation process with all users and the local community. But the majority of your congregation may have initial reservations too. What kind of change management process might be needed to win most people over?


8: What about practical issues?


An architect may want to know your first idea of budget. What kind of time-scale do you have in mind (it will probably work out much longer…)? What kind of permissions and by whom are you going to need (see supplementary list below)? Think carefully about what unseen maintenance issues there might be for your existing building which need to be included within the scope of your project.


7: What might be


It is also worth undertaking some proper research: the history of your church building, its last upgrade, the actual date of the pews, why the building is the shape it is.


9: Which other churches should we visit?


Checking out examples from other churches should provide creative ideas. When you come to choose an architect you will want to see some of their work but for now it is more getting an idea of concepts that matters. Don’t try to copy but take inspiration and practical ideas from what you see.


If you plan to turn your church seating round by 90 degrees in a historic building or run a pre- school in a reordered hall, go and look at some examples. Talk to leaders in these churches, check out the problems they had to overcome: construction, management, running costs.


10: What staffing and maintenance will be required?


Consider the extra costs and staffing for cleaning, caretaking and, after the first few years, maintenance. Heating and lighting costs could increase sharply with the new facility. The new kitchen will be great, but who will need training in how to use it? Do you need a proper business plan for the coffee shop? The centre may need a Manager and volunteer welcomers: do you have those people available?


Also, have you someone in your congregation who can manage this project on your behalf? This could be a major task.


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11: How shall we fund it? For most church projects, almost all the amount will need to be raised from direct giving. In broad outline, how do you intend to go about this? If, instead, you have a building or land to sell, you need to check out the long- term wisdom of this action. If you have reserves, is it right to deplete them by allocating them to this project? You also need to consider whether you are happy to seek and receive Heritage and Lottery Funding and whether there are any local trusts you might approach. For any grant applications or community funding, look out now for the boxes you have to tick as some might compromise your church’s beliefs.


12: What early advice do we need?


First, investigate what is available in print. CofE churches should find that their Diocesan Advisory Committee has detailed sheets available. Church insurers should have plenty of helpful advice. Then go for personal help from independent sources. It is better to consult with your DAC (if that applies) very early in your thinking rather than waiting until you are obliged to do so. Denominational or other external advisers can spur you on to better thinking even if they seem less than enthusiastic about your specific plans.


But be wary of advice offered from members of your congregation. If you have a professional architect in your membership, their help can be a bonus. But they are not independent.


Additional questions:


architects You are not just looking Continued on page 12


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