St. Mary Magdalene Church
Lundwood, Barnsley
Church Re-Ordering
Join us for our Grand Re-Opening Week, 27 October - 4 November!
We are not talking about an episode of Extreme Makeover, but that is exactly what is happening. Anyone who has been in the church before will not recognise it today. The church building has never been an architectual masterpiece, and much of the fabric of the buidling has not endured the test of time. Therefore, knowing that the church would never have the same opportunity again we have decided to invest some of the insurance settlement to put things right.
New Fabric
New double-glazed windows are replacing rusted metal framed panes. None of the old panes matched since over the years when rocks or marbles have flown through, the panes were matched with whatever leftover glass that was lying around. The new windows will even open on a hot day--something that the old windows have not been able to do for decades.
With all the rain we have had this summer, we discovered that a swamp flows under the building when rainwater drains off the old tip behind the church. To combat that, a French drain will be dug along the lenght of the building to divert run-off.
Without a vapor barrier, all that water evaporated into the church collecting in the flooring, walls and ceiling. Underneath the new flooring, a damp barrier is being unrolled and covered with a layer of insulation.
Between the damp and the old wiring, light bulbs did not last very long, but upgraded wiring is being threaded throughout the church to last us for decades to come. In addition new light fittings are being installed to illuminate all the spaces more efficiently.
New Layout
We are also preparing the building for the next phase of our redevelopment--the Church Lite Hall. The new hall will be attached to the church building where the high altar used to be (until the first of August). The new facilities will share a common entryway. To accommodate the new design, the interior of the church has been turned around, the back becoming the front and the front the back.
New Worship Area
A spectacular worship area has just about completed. A new altar dais has been tastefully constructed featuring oak trim, decorative panelling and flooring. The new worship area is also being equipped with an updated audio/visual equipment including a rear projection screen and loop system.
New Community Room
To provide a venue for church and community activities, the end that used to be the altar and choir is now becoming a multi-use community room separated from the worship area by a movable wall that will open to create one large space. The Community Room will include an adjoining serving kitchen equipped for light meals and hot drinks.
New Children's Activity Room
What was once a performance stage before the church tower was built, then became the baptistry, and in episode two of Priest Idol became the Reflection Zone, will now be transformed into a dedicated children's activity room for Sunday school and mother & toddler groups.
New Toilets
Toilets are hardly ever glamorous, but they could at least be pleasant and accessible. The old toilets were nothing more than adequate when in need, but now we will have a new toilet block meeting current accessibility requirements.
We are very excited about our new church and invite you to come and see it for yourself!
These photos depict the progress of renovation work.
| View from community room into worship space | |
| Worship Space | |
| Worship Space | |
| Floor feature for Baptism Font | |
| Viewing the length of the new worship space | |
| Looking towards serving hatch at new kitchen | |
| Serving Hatch | |
| New Kitchen Area | |
| Old high altar area | |
| Location of pipe organ | |
| View from worship area to community room | |
| View from worship area to community room | |
| Worship Area |
You can view more images here.