Cornerstone

 

Cornerstone is the name of the project that is seeking to revolutionise our facilities.

 

St Michael’s is seeking to provide first class facilities for congregation and community that can meet the needs of the existing Church family better and provide facilities that allow us to reach out to the whole town in a more effective way.

 

There are two elements to the project.

 

 

1) 28 Hightown.

2) The Internal re-ordering

The interior of St Michael’s is stunning and

in many ways very historic.  It has become

clear that even when 28 Hightown is

complete there will still be a need for more

flexible space that can be used in a variety

of ways.

 

We also have practical problems with the

interior concerning, heating, lighting,

electrics, disabled access, flexibility for

modern worship, toilets, coffee making etc.

 

Balancing the needs of more traditional

styles and modern styles when it comes to

worship is a constant challenge and there has been extensive consultation with both the congregation and the community.  No definite plan has yet been finalised although a working group hope to recommend a scheme to the PCC very soon, that will probably include a re-shaping of the Chancel step and the removal of the pews in the nave for greater flexibility.

 

Further updates are available in the December 2008 & February 2009 Messengers.

In August 2008 we acquired, after a negotiation and legal process lasting more than two years, the premises opposite the South door of the Church.  We need the building because we have no space other than that in the Church itself, and this is not sufficient for the growing needs of the congregation and the surrounding community.  The building is about 100 years old, and requires complete refurbishment.

 

Although at the time of writing in late September 2009 the work is not finished, we have been using the property ever since we completed the purchase.  Nearly all the PCC and Standing committee meetings have been held there; the card making group Angel Cards has used it extensively; it has been used for some young people’s work; the hand bell ringers have practised there; and visiting choirs have used it to change and to take refreshments.  It has also been used for a series of meetings in connection with the renovation.  However, it is clearly not yet in a fit state to be used for all the things we have in mind, and certainly it is not yet suitable for children.  

 

In the period up to June 2009 we have: re rendered the Queen Street wall; checked and repaired as necessary the guttering, downpipes, flashing and coping stones; removed the ‘Woodbines’ signs and redundant alarm boxes; demolished a chimney; re roofed part of the structure; treated the whole building to deter woodworm, and installed damp proofing.

 

Building Regulation approval for the internal refurbishment was obtained in June, and in early September the PCC agreed to let the contract to the Middlewich firm A&A Construction: the work should commence during the week commencing 28th September, and is expected to be complete by Christmas.

 

The A&A contract strips out all redundant and unsafe facilities and then installs; wall insulation, wall and ceiling boarding and plastering; new fire resistant glazed partitions and doorways; new landings and stairs; repairs to and re hanging of doors; electronic security locks; repairs to woodblock floor and damp proof membrane; new commercial quality flooring to toilet and kitchen; repair and alteration of windows; installation of ventilation fans; new and repaired banister rails;  complete rewiring, network cabling and lighting; intruder and fire alarms; gas fired central heating; disabled access ramp and ground levelling.

 

After the A&A contract is complete a number of small contracts and a significant amount of voluntary work will be required to finish the job.

The small contracts are for: security shutters; curtains, blinds and floor coverings; stair lift; and signage.

The voluntary work required is: insulating the loft; fitting out the kitchen and coffee making areas; erecting shelving; installing phones and IT equipment; installing toilets; modifying steelwork; restoring the woodblock floor; and complete redecoration.

 

We have already benefitted from much voluntary help from within the Church family, and also from those who are not part of our regular congregation.  If you think you can help with the remainder, please get in touch with Mike Reed, the Project Manager (01606 781071).  

 

Please continue to join with us in prayer as we make decisions and as the work continues.  God is with us in this venture, and we are looking forward to using the building to improve our facilities and expand our ministry in the town.