Regeneration Project

I have promised to write more about the plans for the Regeneration of St Mary & St Giles Church in Stony Stratford. Planning consent has been gained to extend the former vestry buildings on the north side of the Parish Church. These buildings were originally built in two phases which isn't something that is immediately discernable. The area of these buildings in the High Street are the oldest, those that lie behind are youngest and do not architecturally match the older parts. It is these younger parts that will be demolished to enable the extension forming a new Parish Hall, toilets and vestry.

The architecture of the parts being retained is by the renowned local architect Edward Swinfen Harris and this style will be replicated in the new building works. The hall will be fully accessible by disabled people and by parents with buggies. The toilets will be a major improvement on the one we have at present. I recall that at my Institution the then Bishop of Buckingham (having had to join the queue) told me that my first priority was "to get decent loos in the place." Well 11 years on we may acheive it, but raising huge sums of money for rewiring the Parish Church and refurbishing the kitchen delayed plans for Regeneration.

The other major part of the Project is the creation of a Narthex and access for disabled people and parents with buggies at the west door. The Parish Church is a building with a fascinating history. The tower is all that remains of the 1453 building, the rest being demolished to make way for a new Parish Church in 1176/77. The change didn't stop there, as the apsidal Chancel was demolished in 1928 "in order that the High Street could be widened." However the fascinating part of these plans is that the mediaevel steps in the tower area will be uncovered -they were covered by a raised floor at some point, but the top step is still clearly visible. On one side of these steps we hope to install a glass sided lift for wheelchairs and buggies. In this way both the Parish Church and its adjoining hall will be fully accessible by all.

2009 will see the reordering and restoration of the Parish Church interior, and as a further part of this a life-size Icon of St Giles is being "written" by Brother Leon Lidderment of the Brotherhood of St Seraphim at Walsingham. This will be situated in the recess at the east-end of of the north aisle. To the right of the Icon will be a new Intercession Board for people to leave prayer requests and beneath this will be our current cabinet for the "Book of the Dead." The hope is that if funds allow a votive candlestand will be commissioned for use with the Icon.

The font will be restored to the west of the centre aisle, instead of being near the altar - as was in vogue in the 1960's even though not demanded by the Conciliar Documents. The font will be surrounded by a beautiful new floor surface.

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel will be restored to the east-end of the south aisle rather than its present position in the former choir vestry. The image of Our Lady was restored to the Nave in 2007 along with a beautiful Votive Candlestand commissioned by the PCC. Earlier this year the Sanctuary/Chancel and side aisle recesses were redecorated. The High Altar was restored versus orientum in 2006.

A new lectern for the Nave has been commissioned as the present one matches the Blessed Sacrament Chapel altar and will be transferred to the restored Chapel, rather than using a Legilium as we do at present. The image of St Michael the Archangel, discovered in the roof-space of the former Vicarage shed (and which had formerly been placed in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, London Road), will be placed, as is customary, close to the west door. The Confessional will be transferred to the north aisle.

All in all, it can be seen that a lot of work is to take place. Now all we need to is to gain the final consent for change of use on our former hall and a good price from its sale and we can begin the building of the new hall adjoining the Parish Church. The funding for the Narthex is due from the sale of the demised Church of St Mary the Virgin - the Oxford Diocesan Trustees having promised us a grant from its sale to the Greek Orthodox Community in Milton Keynes.