St Andrew’s Church has stood at the heart of Wanborough for centuries, serving not only as a place of worship, but also as an important part of the life of the village. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is now exploring plans to help ensure the church can continue to serve both the congregation and the wider community for generations to come.
The proposals aim to make the church building more welcoming, flexible and practical for modern community life, while carefully respecting its historic character and heritage.
Proposed Improvements to the Church
For many years, the PCC has considered how St Andrew’s Church could better support worship, hospitality and a wider range of village activities.
A key part of the proposed plans is the introduction of a permanent water supply — something the church has never previously had. This would allow for the installation of accessible toilet and kitchen facilities and remove the need for temporary arrangements currently used during events and gatherings.
The proposals also include:
- creating a more open and flexible gathering space at the west end of the church;
- removing some pews to allow for a wider range of activities and events;
- improving hospitality facilities; and
- making the building easier to use for both church and community purposes.
The plans have been carefully developed with a conservation architect and seek to balance the preservation of this historic building with the changing needs of village life today. The image below gives a flavour of some of the proposed changes to St Andrew’s Church.
Why Now?
The PCC believes this is an important opportunity to invest in the future of St Andrew’s Church and ensure it remains a vibrant and sustainable part of village life.
Alongside ongoing fundraising and grant opportunities, discussions are taking place about the future ownership of Wanborough Village Hall. A generous legacy left to the Village Hall charity by the late Mrs I J Masters has created the opportunity to explore whether local ownership of the Hall could help secure its long-term future while also supporting improvements to St Andrew’s Church.
The intention is that any funds arising from these arrangements would remain within Wanborough and continue to benefit the local community.
This is not about separating the Hall and the Church, but about helping both continue to flourish in ways that best support village life for the future.
Next Steps
The PCC is keen to engage openly with residents, worshippers and community groups as plans continue to develop.
Over the coming months there will be opportunities to:
- view the proposals in more detail;
- ask questions and share feedback;
- discuss how the church can best support community life in the future; and
- explore how fundraising and other support can help bring the plans forward.
The PCC hopes this will be a collaborative process shaped by the needs and aspirations of the wider village community.
Question?
If you have any questions or want to discuss the