Things to do with a Redundant Church

To Marlborough this afternoon with my dear friend Liz, to celebrate her 36th
wedding anniversary. We followed our usual path, lunching at the Castle
and Ball in the High street before strolling around bookshops, charity (thrift)
shops, de-lic-ious little Italian boutiques selling delectable jewellry and
clothes (to fantasise over, not to buy!) And shops selling baby clothes and
miniature furniture.

We had reached the end of the High street when I spotted the notice
outside the 500 year old St Peter's Church (redundant & de-consecrated since 1974)
announcing that the craft stalls and coffee shop were still open. Now, I had
remembered visiting the church several years ago and while pleasant, the
crafts were of the "padded coat-hanger" variety - and I have not bothered
since.

But since we had an hour left before our parking ran out, we decided to
investigate - and we were both very glad that we did. On my past visit,
there was just a small area at the back of the church displaying a very
limited number of crafts, with the rest of the church screened off. A very
different sight to that of today, when the whole of the interior is illuminated,
beautifully cared for, and sectioned off for a number of interesting and very
well produced crafts, coffee and cakes, a large open area for receptions -
and even a small chapel to one side, still reserved for quiet prayer.

How wonderful that, instead of this church - like so many others - being
stripped and then demolished to make way for soul-less new housing or
offices, it  has instead been preserved to keep an impressive Victorian
interior intact, and also provide a considerable amenity and meeting place
for the local community. Well done, all those who laboured hard to bring
this project to fruition!

A craft gallery at the West end of the church

The East end of the church, completely clad in Minton tiles by Wyatt during the Victorian renovations

Beautiful Victorian floor tiles by Victorian tile manufacturers Maws, and an old village bier (loaned from Minel in Wiltshire) upon which many parishoners would have been carried on their last journey - notice also the stencilled walls

A closer view of the Victorian stencils

The font makes an attractive display area

Three children buried in just over a month - Death is no respecter of rich or poor...

The elegant interior, beautifully though simply lit

Comments

[Darla]

So glad you and Liz stopped to have a look so you could share it with us. What a beautiful Victorian interior.

Darla

[annieelfa]

What a wonderful way to reinvent such a beautiful place.