Church Family Consultation Q&A Summary
On the 24th October we held a Consultation Evening with the church family in St Michael le Belfrey Church; giving the opportunity for your Questions concerning the Impact project to be answered by the Impact board and LDN Architects.
We’ve put together this summary of the Q&A section of the evening below, if you’d like more information on anything covered here let us know by emailing impact@belfrey.com
Light
Q: Would the balconies block the natural light that is coming in?
A: LDN is very conscious about the light coming into the church. The balcony design is now situated 1m from the windows, there is a double-height entry space proposed at the West End providing more light and the wood proposed for gallery (and balconies) is much lighter in hue than currently.
Glass and Monuments etc
Q: Stained glass windows and monuments will be compromised by the plans. Can people view the glass in its entirety?
A: Balconies give a closer view of the stained glass windows and some monuments than now. Sightlines from ground floor to stained glass better now that balconies 1m from wall. View of full window may require viewing up close and from ground floor. Proposals to move certain windows and monuments so they are in full view. Windows are precious so it’s important to look at how they are repaired and protected for the future.
Q: What will happen to internal features in the building including monuments?
A: Reredos and Squire memorial will remain in their existing position. Monuments, ledger stones and some glass would be relocated away from the balconies to be visible in a different space. Impact team and LDN recognise significance of features but relocation shouldn’t be problematic as memorials and glass have moved a few times in the life of the church eg during the World Wars.
Baptism and Guy Fawkes baptism
Q: Baptism – concern that its current location is tucked away. Suggestion for more central location ie where Mensa stone, which was from a Minster altar, currently resides (GPR shows a void underneath – could be an old grave) or even in chancel. Also separates baptism and communication.
A: Importance of Baptism has been highlighted with LDN. Current location allows a significant open space. Need to consider relationship between baptism and communion and physical space between the two. Baptistery has been added in since competition design so the appropriate location still needs to be finalised.
Q: Will Guy Fawkes’ baptism be highlighted? What about the church’s silver?
A: Historic drawings show a font to the south of the west door but the font used for Guy Fawkes has not been traced. Certainly the church can make more of its history to visitors. There is the opportunity to use digital media eg handheld devices to tell the story of the church. A special exhibition for Guy Fawkes can be planned as can a display for the silver. This will be looked at in Stage 3 when we go into detailed design.
Team is very conscious about the need to protect the stained glass, the memorials and significant aspects of St Michael le Belfrey’s heritage.
Prayer
Q: A space that is quiet enough to be heard – the acoustics of coming up to the front and praying alongside worship music being played can be difficult at times.
A: Prayer ministry definitely needs to be taken into account as the design develops so that there are effective spaces which can be used.
Front of church, staging and access to Communion
Q: Not too keen on designs for front of church. Will there be level access to Communion? Is the staging removable, will there still be a raised area to the side and will it be tidier eg trailing cables?
A: A step will remain at the communion rail but coming into the building, it will be seamless with no steps within the building, a significant improvement.
A: Central staging design needs to be developed further but thinking was to improve sightlines to Preacher, Worship leaders and activities taking place. Creating flexible/moveable staging has been taken into account. Design team recognise the need to create spaces for cables to avoid trailing wires. Want to make sure we ensure really good sightlines in the reordered church.
Seating capacity, seating configurations & café
Q: Will there be enough seating for all?
A: A number of configurations have been shown to achieve flexibility and maximum capacity on special occasions and balconies play a part in creating the seating required.
Will be much easier to provide the Wednesday lunchtime service café, cafes during the week and cafes for special events such as the York Marathon. One church member sees the opportunity to minister to the vulnerable and excluded through the café.
The advantage of open space is that a range of configurations can be tried so that they suit the worship styles and activities taking place
Toilets
Q: How many toilets will there be? Accessibility for older children and adults?
A: Two accessible toilets towards the West end and 8 proposed at East End. Impact team has checked recommendations on washroomcubicles.co.uk website and this is just sufficient. Consideration has been given to a ‘Changing Places’ toilet at the West End as one of the two which would include a wet room and/or facilities that work for all ages.
Lighting, AV and Repairs
Q: Future Lighting and A/V requirements and impact on Pillars
A: Pillars will be repaired with traditional materials eg matching limestone and mortar. Take out recent technology additions and aim to avoid further fixings. Repairs need to be unobtrusive and practical. Ideas include a lighting strip just above the arches and glass projection screen in the chancel.
Acoustics
Q: Will you seek advice on Acoustics for the building?
A: An initial Acoustics survey has already been conducted and another survey will happen later in the design process, recognising the Reordering will impact on acoustics. Choosing the right materials will be a critical factor to achieving the right acoustic balance.
Welcome & Entrance
Q: Relationship between exterior and interior particularly during worship. Will people outside hear worship as they do now? People come into the narthex wanting to know what is going on. Location – opportunities to encourage visitors, as many may not even understand the concept of church.
A: Proposals include additional doors on west front and as most windows will remain single pane, sound will travel. A glass partition to separate the welcome space has been suggested so that sound can be managed when services are taking place.
Q: Will people still hear what is happening in the church?
A: Careful consideration has been given to make the church more welcoming which includes additional entrances where original doors can be pinned back and a second set of glazed doors allows people to look in.
Sound will still travel as much of it goes through the single glazed windows.
Aim is to make space more uplifting, welcoming, warm, improving connectivity with the outside. Doors glazed between Narthex and Sanctuary.
Exterior
Q: Exterior landscaping and Water feature – how does it work, will it enhance or detract? Not too keen on proposed design.
Recognition that external design is still very much a work in progress.
A: Water both attracts people but can also encourage vandalism. The positive is that the water features reflect baptism to new life in the Christian faith and are a means of engaging with people.
Q: How does the fountain area work?
A: Current proposal is water flowing over glass/clear structures and recycled in troughs which also create seating areas. Lighting or engraving could be used to show bible verses. Facility to switch water off.
Heating
Q: What is the plan for heating in the designs and how will it be insulated?
A: Designs propose an underfloor heating system augmented by radiant heat (radiators) under the windows. Insulation will be improved when the roof is replaced and in the floor.
Please make a model
A: LDN agreed a model would be helpful in explaining the designs clearly to people and particularly as they progress.
Consultation with others
Q: What is the process from here? Whose advice have we sought eg the Diocese, Historic England, York Civic Trust, the Council.
A: At the time of the competition Historic England, City of York Council, the Diocese and our former Inspecting Architect provided technical advice. We have embarked on conversations with amenity societies such as the Georgian Group. The Impact team and LDN will be presenting to a number of these organisations alongside the Diocesan Advisory Committee and Church Buildings Council on 5 November to seek their advice.
The building is hugely significant and some elements more so. Areas which will draw particular interest are the pews, the 18th century staircases to the gallery and new openings to the west front. It’s important that we can draw out concerns and explain our case well as to why change is proposed to certain elements.
Please pray with us as we consult with the different experts.
Next Steps
Q: What happens when the building is under construction? How long will it be? We need to consider our move carefully for the sake of the congregations including our students.
A: An outline decant plan has been produced with suggestions of alternative places to worship. This now needs to be looked at in more detail and different venues approached which might be willing to provide us with a temporary home which we estimate would be needed for around 18 months. We need to involve the church family, plan and communicate well. During this process there is an opportunity to connect with other churches in the city and the possibility for further planting.