St Michael and All Angels Church, Beetham
The Brief
Creating more flexible space inside a church with a long history, while continuing to look after its historic fabric.
St Michael and All Angels Church sits in the village of Beetham and has a long and layered history. The lower parts of the tower may be Anglo-Saxon, with the church growing over time as aisles were added and the upper stage of the tower was built in the 16th century.
John Coward Architects has acted as inspecting architect to the church since 2012 advising the PCC on the building’s condition and repairs.
In summer 2023, we helped carry out interior changes to create more flexible space. Pews were removed from the back of the nave and aisles, as well as at the east end and either side of the chancel. New stone flooring was introduced where the pews had been removed.
Key features
- Historic parish church with possible Anglo-Saxon fabric
- Ongoing inspecting architect role
- Internal alterations completed in summer 2023
- Pews removed to create more flexible space
- New stone flooring
- More space for weddings, school performances and events
- Font cover stabilised and fixed in position
- Ongoing repair work to roofs, rainwater goods and masonry
Making more space for how the church is used
The intention was to give the church more flexibility. Removing pews at the rear created space for people to gather after services, while changes at the east end opened up an area previously cluttered with seating.
Local schools use the church frequently for performances and displays of pupils’ work, as well as music concerts and other events. The changes give those activities more room without reworking the whole church interior.
We also stabilised the font cover. It had previously been suspended on a wire-and-pulley system so it could be lowered over the font. It is now fixed securely in position above it.
Alongside the internal work, we have advised on repairs to roofs, rainwater goods and masonry and continue to work with the PCC on the care of the building.
Beetham Church has a particularly rich history, and you can feel its different layers when you walk inside. Set within the village, it is a building very close to the practice and one we particularly enjoy working on.
