Details of the new pattern of Sunday services which started at the begining of December. Click here to see the page.
Towards a More Inclusive Church
Home > Recent Reflections > Inclusive Church
This Andrew's Net gives us a great opportunity to tell you about plans we are working on that we think will improve worship at St Andrew's for many people. These include: removal of some pews, new stage or dais area, disabled access to stage, re-positioning of music and worship group.
Several people who belong to the Church use wheelchairs. Recent alterations in the West Tower entrance have greatly improved access to Church, but St Andrew's still poses many challenges to wheelchair users.
- Because the aisle is very narrow and there are steps leading up to the chancel, it is impossible for wheelchair users to go forwards with others to receive Holy Communion at the Communion Table. Bread and wine have to be brought to them.
- If part of the service takes place in the Chancel, then they can only be involved from a distance.
- If they want to read the scriptures or lead prayers, they have to do so where they are sitting with the hand held microphone. They can be heard, but not seen.
The lack of an adequate open space at the front of church also places great limitations on the opportunities for groups of people to be seen by the congregation e.g. children's nativity plays, music group performances, etc. It is also difficult to include elements such as drama or dance within a service.
Finally, the Communion Table feels a long way away from the congregation. It would be much better if we could have the flexibility of being able to be involved more closely in the Communion service by having a more central and visible altar, while retaining the option of using the High Table.
We put these challenges to Geoffrey Holland, our Church architect. Geoff works for Martin Stancliffe Architects of York and knows our church very well, having been responsible for the plans of the recent church refurbishment in 2003. He has created a plan that goes a long way towards creating a more inclusive environment for worship.
Some Questions you might be asking
What will be done with the oldest pews that are removed?
Eight pews are, in part, from the 17th century. (They were extensively repaired in the 1890s.) They will be carefully dismantled, and their gates will be reinstalled in the pews at the rear of the church that do not have them. The oldest parts (pew ends) will then be retained and preserved by being made into four freestanding two-seater pews. These will be placed either in the South Transept for use by the musicians or in the West Tower near the Font.
What about the other pews that are removed?
These are made of pine. They are 19th century and not of high quality. This wood will be kept for possible future use.
Will there be enough seating?
This is the biggest drawback of the plan, as the following table shows.
| Present | Capacity | New Plan | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nave | 33 pews | 165 | 25 | 125 |
| North Transept | 1 pew | 6 | Flexible Space | |
| North Transept | 1 pew | 6 | Flexible Space | |
| South Transept | 4 pews | 24 | 4 2-seat pews | 8 |
| Chancel | 4 pews | 24 | 4 pews | 24 |
| Total | 219 | 157 |
Although the new capacity will be sufficient to meet most of our demands, we will sometimes need to make more use of the Chancel seating. Occasionally in the year we exceed this number, and then we will need to make good use of the flexible spaces. If we continue to grow in number, then we will need to think about having two main services on Sunday mornings-a nice problem to have!
What spiritual principles might guide us?
At Christmas God came to us in Jesus Christ. He embodied God's love. With Jesus, people always mattered more than buildings and institutions. St Andrew's is very proud of its church building and its heritage. But if St Andrew's is to follow Jesus Christ in the 21st century, then it must strive to help everyone to worship God and to take part in God's work.
What steps come next?
We are in the consultation stage at present. Conversations are going on with English Heritage, the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of the Churches, and of course with the parishioners of Haughton.
Having heard from all concerned, final plans and a schedule of work will be drawn up. Then we will apply for planning permission (a Faculty) from the Church Authorities. At the same time we will invite top craftsmen to tender for the work. Our hope is to undertake the work in the summer of 2006.
Your views will be most welcome.
Please write to:
David Bryan, Rector of St Andrew's Church,
Haughton Green, Darlington, DL1 2DD.
Or E-mail: standrewshls.church@btinternet.com
Unless otherwise indicated, content within this site can be shared non-commercially under the following Creative Commons Licence. Please contact us for any other use.