Ss Peter & Paul, Kettering
Proposals for change
The proposals offered here are an initial vision designed to promote discussion and debate about the future use and appearance of the church. It will clearly require very careful development to take on board comments and views of parishioners, users and the authorities alike. The key recommended changes are as follows:
Levels
Raise the floor of the church to the level of the Lady Chapel, Chancel and St. Lukes Chapel. This could be done with timber structure over the existing stone and parquet floor leaving it entirely undisturbed. Where there are ledger stones in the floor, these could be seen through glazed and illuminated panels set flush within the new floor deck. Ramps would extend disabled persons access from the north and south doors of the nave with additional steps from the west doors which are already stepped and therefore unsuaibale for disabled persons access in any case. By levelling the floor of the nave with the eastern end of the church, far greater access and flexibility can be achieved accross the whole building.
In the plan shown above, the entire green area is now accessible - which contrasts strongly with the current layout of the church shown here.
Light
Reglazing the south windows with clear glass is proposed to increase natural light levels and raise the spirits of the building.
The Lady Chapel
This area, attractively screened from the nave, is shown as a more intimate area of private prayer, as it is used at present, but possibly enhanced to be more effective for this purpose.
The Chancel
With a parish desire to concentrate worship in the nave, the location of the organ in St. Lukes Chapel is not ideal. In order not to loose valuable floor or window space, it is suggested that the organ is mounted on a new screen / gallery at the opening of the chancel arch. The arch itself was remade by Blomfield and the placing of the organ and screen below would frame views eastwards in the picturesque way that occurs in a large number of our cathedrals, such as Portsmouth, St. Albans etc. While the insertion of the organ in this location might seem a radical idea, it would provide a new visual focus to the nave while also might help redefine the chancel area.
The St Luke's Chapel
The liberation of the St. Lukes Chapel from the large organ allows this area to potentially offer the supporting accommodation sought by the church. This includes WCs, kitchen etc. with perhaps a a quiet meeting room upstairs, lit by the handsome five light east window presnetly obscurred by the organ. These functions could be accommodated in a new timber structure set in line with the adjacent screens to the chancel and Lady chapel, possibly re-using existing timber panelling from the organ. Once again, the principle of this construction would be that it should be lightweaight and effectively removable at a later date if desired. Were the vestry to be located at the ground floor level of this structure, the existing vestry could serve as a sound-separated meeting room and childrens area, addressing concerns in the parish brief for sound insulated Sunday School to take place parallel with formal worship. A ramped approach from the church into the vestry in place of the existing steps would be investigated. It would involve the closure of the present west door to the vestry and possibly involve some modifications to levels of the floor overall. However it would make this part of the church accessible with the possible re-opening of the east door as a fire escape.
Office Address:
The Rectory
Church Walk
Kettering
NN16 0DJ
Search site: