The Stonehouse Church Reordering Project
Embracing our Future
Renewing our Heritage
Enhancing our Community
You can download a copy of the leaflet about the Stonehouse Church Reordering Project as well as view the detailed plans for the Stonehouse Church Reordering Project.
Below is a video summarising the Stonehouse Church Reordering Project:
St Cyr’s Church is situated by the beautiful Stroudwater Navigation, a recently restored canal in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. The church’s serene surroundings make it a cherished landmark for both locals and visitors.
The church is more than a place of worship; it is a hub for community events and gatherings. It regularly hosts activities such as the Stonehouse Canal Festival, initiatives by Cotswold Boatmobility and the Cotswold Canals Trust, as well as events involving local schools and choirs.
However, as we embrace the future, our beloved building needs updating to better support the needs of its growing community. The Stonehouse Church Reordering Project aims to meet these needs by creating a welcoming, accessible and sustainable space. Our goal is to enable St Cyr’s Church to serve as a hub of faith, culture and social activities.
Historical Significance
St Cyr's Church is a popular spot on the UK's canal network. It is set in scenic countryside alongside the Stroudwater Navigation and features 50 Grade II listed tabletop tombs. The church has existed in Stonehouse since 1225, with the current building being rebuilt in the 19th century by Henry Crisp, with its medieval tower dating to the 14th century.
Now part of the Stroudwater Team of 15 parishes, the church is central to Stonehouse’s community and spiritual events. Surrounded by its tranquil surroundings and embraced by the evolving needs of its parishioners, the church continues to unite residents and visitors alike.
Opportunity to Transform
The church's current configuration and facilities are inadequate to meet the needs of the community. The kitchen and toilet facilities are outdated and insufficient for large gatherings. Additionally, the layout does not provide the flexibility required for informal gatherings, large groups of children, or community events.
Exciting opportunities await, particularly through partnerships with local groups like Cotswold Canals Connected and the Stonehouse Walking Festival. The area is seeing more visitors thanks to new housing, the canal restoration, increased interest in versatile venues for gatherings and worship, and initiatives aimed at lessening the church’s environmental impact.
Our vision is transformative: to make St Cyr’s Church a welcoming, inclusive and sustainable space for all. It is a visionary plan to preserve the historical essence of the church whilst adapting the space to meet the needs of our community.
The project will enhance accessibility, create adaptable spaces for worship and events, update facilities, and aim for carbon net-zero. We want every visitor, whether at a service, concert, or in quiet reflection, to feel at home.
The Plans
We aim to enhance the church's functionality, accessibility, and sustainability in several ways:
- Upgraded toilet facilities with two accessible toilets, both of which will be disabled-friendly and suitable for young families.
- Improved kitchen, with the removal of the existing facilities and the creation of a new open-plan kitchen.
- Reconfiguring the interior to provide an expanded, flexible and welcoming space by improving the layout for gatherings and events.
- Improving the experience for visitors with a new glazed lobby by the north porch, allowing the main door to be left open during the day and more natural light to come in.
- Enhanced lighting by replacing the existing system with LED lights, strategically placed to offer the best possible light for church users.
- Improved heating with the existing gas-fired heaters being replaced with a combination of underpew and panel electric heaters.
- Restored Architectural Features such as revealing various stained-glass windows and improving natural lighting.
- Creation of step-free access to all areas of the church including stone flag ramps and the lowering of the pew bases.
- New projector and drop-down screen for church services and events.
Community Impact
St Cyr’s is more than a church – it is a key part of our community. Although we are focused on the future, we are also deeply committed to preserving the past, whilst also embracing sustainability. Our upgraded facilities will be accessible for all ages and abilities, enabling us to host events that meet diverse needs while fostering an inviting atmosphere and reducing energy use.
Local schools, choirs and community groups have expressed interest in using the church building more regularly, and with the planned improvements, we anticipate an even greater uptake.
Funding the Vision
The project, with an estimated cost of over £500,000, will be executed in two phases:
- Phase 1 (approximately £350k): Upgrade toilets/kitchen, build glazed lobby, open up interior space, create meeting room under tower, install new heating and lighting, and install three-phase power.
- Phase 2 (approximately £150k): Adjust pews for access, complete heating/lighting upgrades, ensure step-free access throughout, reconfigure chancel/plinth wall, add projector/screen, repair floor and redecorate interior.
Join Us in Building the Future
Your support is vital to making the Stonehouse Reordering Project a reality. By supporting our project, you can:
- Help create a welcoming space that serves the entire community.
- Preserve an iconic historical building for future generations.
- Leave a legacy in Stonehouse.
Your generosity, whether big or small, will enable us to safeguard the legacy of St Cyr’s while adapting the church to better meet the needs of our evolving community.
Together with your help, we can ensure St Cyr’s Church continues to be a place of faith and community for generations.
Contact us
Facebook "St Cyr’s Church – Stonehouse"
Instragram @stcyrstonehouse
Email: stonehousechurch@outlook.com