St Peter, Acton Green

A welcoming church with big ambitions

St Peter’s is a vibrant, much-loved church with real energy, hosting everything from playgroups to an annual jazz festival. But behind the scenes, there were some immediate repair needs, and the previous inspecting architect was retiring. The church also had bigger ambitions: to expand its community offer, create better facilities and find new ways to generate income so it could sustain both the building and its mission.

I stepped in as the new inspecting architect and began by preparing a clear, costed scheme of essential repairs - tackling unglamorous but urgent jobs like drains, gutters and floor finishes. I also supported the team with funding applications, helping them tell the story of why the work matters and why it can’t wait.

Next, I’ll be carrying out a feasibility study to explore how we might create extra space within the church. The aim? To add a WC and kitchenette, reconfigure the office to make it more visible and useful, and introduce new meeting spaces the church can use and let out. This will unlock more flexibility, more income and more possibilities for community use.

The church now has a clear picture of the repair work required and the funding target they’re working towards. The feasibility study will give them a roadmap for their next steps, turning good intentions into a practical, achievable plan for growth. It's the beginning of an exciting new chapter for a church that’s already deeply rooted in its community.