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The New Dais - 2003 - looking towards the east.
Beyond 2000
In 2000 the Parochial Church Council launched its vision for the next three years under the title, Beyond 2000. The objectives of the vision were:
The third objective was largely completed by Easter 2003; and this page presents a selection of photographs and details of the sheme as set out in the original 'Beyond 2000' brochure.
Views of the completed project. . .
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The Nave towards the North West |
Towards the Lady Chapel | |
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. . and the South West |
. . . and while work was in progress . .
The Nave towards East |
. . . the West |
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. . and the South East |
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From the brochure . . .
REFURBISHMENT PLANS FOR ST. PETER'S
The church is a family of Christian people but, to help us and future congregations of our parish, we need buildings which meet our worshipping needs and help our family to grow. If we do not consider the suitability of our buildings and whether or not they meet our needs, they can become dated and hinder our ability to flourish. St. Peter's owes its existence to generations of parishioners of Hersham who have both maintained it and improved it. We have benefited from the time and financial resources that they have invested in St. Peter's and now we have a responsibility to make our own investment for the future.
Over recent years there has been a growing need to upgrade our beautiful church. Now that we have decided what is needed, the time has come for us to start putting our plans into action.
THE NEED
The scheme that is now outlined is based on the meetings we have held this year with our architect and lighting consultants and the resulting comments received from church members. It enhances the existing building's architecture and colour scheme.
THE SCHEME
Re-decorating and re-carpeting
The entire church will be re-decorated following the lines of the scheme already presented to church members by our architect, John Deal. The arches will be picked out in cream, white and terracotta, which will reflect the colour of the existing decoration to the walls in the Chancel.
The carpet will cover the new central dais, the West End, the Violet Sedgebeer Room, the Lady Chapel, the Vestries, the South Transept (the Children's corner) and, if practicable, the aisles. The carpet will be in two colours - cream and terracotta.
Lighting
The current lighting in the church cannot be repaired and in certain places (Chancel, dais area and Transepts) is clearly inadequate. A new scheme has been prepared by a firm who specialise in ecclesiastical lighting. The scheme comprises a combination of spotlights, up lighters and special fittings. These will combine to provide flexible, general lighting for the congregation, highlighting for the pulpit, altar, etc, and lighting to the underside of the church roof.
The East End
Central Dais
The scheme developed for this area is largely as previously displayed and comprises a circular central dais distinguished by the two colours of the carpeting and by the lighting. The aim is to provide a focal point for the altar at the main Sunday morning service and to make the whole area more beautiful. The Rood Screen will be regilded and regularly maintained thereafter.
The organ console will be moved to a suitable position in the South Transept, which will become a dedicated area for musicians and singers.
The panelling and screens in the South Transept will be removed (matching the Lady Chapel) to make an ideal display area for information about the Christian faith.
Proposed Lady Chapel Window
Lady Chapel
The scheme for the Lady Chapel represents the most significant change to the church as it stands today. The panelling around the walls and the existing screens will be removed. These screens will be replaced by high quality moveable wooden screens which can sit beneath the arches and provide flexibility in the use of this area. The altar will be moved to the North Wall. The existing stained glass window will, in effect, be extended downwards to provide a visual link between the inside of the church and the outside world. The pews will be replaced with comfortable chairs.
Instead of a floor or ceiling, a suspended grid/lighting feature has been designed to give the Lady Chapel the intimacy it needs. As a result, the stained glass windows above will still be clearly visible.
The West End
The West End will be tidied up, carpeted and lit so as to clearly distinguish this area. The provision of cupboards will be improved and extended and will house the sound system. New notice boards will be installed either side of the war memorial.
