Re-ordering St. Andrew’s

The interior of St. Andrew’s has remained virtually unaltered since the 1870′s, when it received a major reconstruction and refurbishment. It served the generations well until about the 1970′s when the needs of congregations and the local community were changing. Our times are so different from the Victorian era that we must make the building fit for the generations to come. The purpose of this scheme is:
  • To create a flexible space that can enable us to worship God in a greater variety of ways.
  • To open up the building to the whole community for a much wider range of activities that we can’t do in the Chapter House.

Re-order Main View

Why do we want to make these changes? In medieval times the Church was the only Community building, and it was used in a great variety of ways. By re-ordering we will be creating a flexible space so the Church can then be used in many more ways than is currently possible. What exactly is planned? These are the changes and additions we are planning:
  • Frame-less glass lobby and outer doors on North and South sides.
  • Ceramic tiled floor, with underfloor heating, but leaving ledger stones and memorials visible.
  • An enlarged semi-circular dais at the front of the nave, replacing the current rectangular one, with a removable communion rail, a new altar, lectern, and two new clergy stalls.
  • A new disabled ramp to give access to the platform at the front.
  • A re-configured chancel, retaining just the front Choir stall frontal.
  • An upgraded and improved Audio Visual system including fixed data projectors, and a new control desk.
  • The pulpit rotated through 180 degrees so as to enable access to the dais via the ramp.
  • All the pews removed and replaced with high quality wooden stacking chairs, arranged in an arc and focusing on the nave altar/dais.
  • A servery counter near the South door.
  • A display cabinet and notice-board.
  • A complete re-wiring and re-lighting of the Church.

Re-order North aisle view

How much will it cost? The financial cost will probably be somewhere approaching £½ million, and the spiritual/emotional/physical cost will be high as well as we commit ourselves to this major project. Where will the money come from? As we have done in the past we have to depend on God to provide for all that we need. We will do that by praying, giving, fund-raising, seeking  grants  and  gifts, and trusting for some legacies. The current leadership of St. Andrew’s understands that it holds this building on trust for the whole of Gorleston.

Re-order South aisle view

Over the last 2½ years a lot of thought and prayer has gone into how we can fulfil our responsibilities to God and Gorleston. We’ve invested several thousand pounds in the process so far. We sincerely and passionately believe these plans represent the best option for safeguarding the heritage of faith buildings that has been passed on to us. When they are completed they will enable us to extend God’s Kingdom, and enable us to serve the next generations of Gorleston residents. Statements of Need and Significance The following provide information regarding the Statement of Need and the Statement of Significance. Please click on each to open the file in a separate window. Statement of Need (pdf file) Statement of Significance (pdf file)

Please contact us if you would like to be part of this exciting project.