04 December 2024
On the edge of the Yorkshire moors, Stones Methodist Church has undergone a remarkable transformation that goes far beyond mere building repairs. What began as a critical preservation project has evolved into a strategic reimagining of the church's role within its community, blending heritage preservation with forward-thinking sustainability and outreach.
A 2005 refurbishment provided extra – and accessible – space on the lower ground floor for community activities, a new kitchen, toilets and a new entrance. This was instrumental in bringing Stones Methodist Church to the heart of community activities with almost 200 children using the premises every week.
Laura Aspinall, the architect, with Andrew Smith, Church Property Chair, on top of the scaffolding.
In 2022, the church faced a critical moment. As Dave Hill, Project Lead, candidly explains, they were "on a cliff edge" – with the choice being either substantial renovation or potential closure. The building's structural integrity was severely compromised, with multiple critical issues emerging during initial investigations.
The roof was particularly problematic. Without proper felt underneath the blue slate, water consistently penetrated the structure. Andrew Smith, Church Property Chair, revealed the extent of the challenges, "The chimney was built 120 years ago and had never had any maintenance. You could take the mortar out of the joints with your finger”.
Brian Smith, a contractor, confirmed the urgency, telling the team that they had acted just in time – potentially preventing a catastrophic roof failure.
Amongst the other issues were various leaks (especially on the West walls significantly more exposed to the Pennines weather) and the lack of insulation (notably upstairs) as well as the strong desire to become more sustainable, notably via the use of green energy, a new heating system and solar panels.
The renovation was not just about fixing structural issues. The church leadership adopted a comprehensive approach focusing on three key areas: building preservation, sustainability and community engagement.
The physical restoration addressed multiple challenges. They replaced the roof, repaired the chimney and dealt with unexpected issues like a bat colony in the roof space. Special under-felt was required to shield the protected species, adding complexity and cost to the project.
Sustainability became a central theme. The church installed solar panels, battery storage, and a new green boiler. These improvements are projected to reduce electricity bills by approximately 30% - a significant saving for a community organisation.
Funding the project was no small feat. Costs escalated from an initial estimate of £450,000 to nearly £700,000, driven by global economic turbulence and building price inflation.
Significantly, the church's congregation contributed substantially. As Dave notes, they raised over £180,000 internally, demonstrating remarkable community commitment. Significant grants were also provided by the Methodist Church, the Yorkshire West District, the Calderdale Methodist Circuit and the Trustees for Methodist Church Purpose (TMCP).
The church secured support from multiple sources, including the National Church Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Benefact Trust, Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, Beatrice Laing Trust, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Joseph Rank Trust, to name but a few.
The renovation wasn't just about the building, but about creating spaces for more community interaction. Jenny Crane from the Mission team highlighted the philosophy, “The way forward is to get symbiotic with the community and cater to their needs such as creating a Guitar Club”.
Today, the renovated church serves multiple purposes. Downstairs hosts a preschool operating four days a week, a baby and toddler club and a dance school serving 150 children weekly. The new kitchen and flexible spaces allow for diverse community activities.
The church is now exploring an outreach role within its council, focusing on spiritual engagement and community connection. As Dave emphasised, "The real legacy will be whether we can get more people involved."
Plans include applying for Eco Church awards and potentially creating a dedicated Eco warrior role. Andrew suggests breaking down volunteering opportunities into more manageable tasks to encourage broader participation.
Stones Methodist Church actively creates symbiotic community connections. By transforming a potentially failing building into a vibrant, sustainable community hub, they have created a model of church renewal that balances heritage, innovation and social engagement.