AMBITIOUS plans to modernise and extend an historic Hayling Island church have been unveiled.

The proposed new interior of St Mary's Church, Hayling Island

The project should make it easier for St Mary’s Church in Church Road to host community activities, explore new ways of worship and maintain traditional services.

The building has been at the centre of island life for 750 years, hosting baptisms, weddings, funerals, festivals and other activities, and has been regularly modernised throughout the centuries to reflect the changing needs of its community.

The £600,000 project to enhance the inside of the building for the 21st century and to build an extension should happen in two stages.

The first stage involves re-ordering the interior, replacing Victorian pews with more comfortable and flexible seating arrangements which would allow more innovative use of the space available. A raised circular podium in front of the chancel will make it easier to follow what is taking place in worship and other activities.

The modernisation plans also include new flooring to replace the worn-out Victorian floor, the replacement of the inadequate heating system, and the installation of a new PA system. There will be a spiral staircase to the tower and a welcome area.

St Mary’s associate priest, the Rev Pennie Payne, said:“In fact, the church is going back to how it was before the Victorians put the pews in. In medieval times, there were no pews and the church hosted all sorts of community activities.”

The second stage involves the building of a circular extension on the north side of the church, which will be reached via a short corridor through an existing door.

The facilities will include a meeting room for up to 40 people that can also be used as a quiet area. It will be supported by a small kitchen and a changing room for clergy, choir, and others involved in church services and activities. The extension will include much-needed toilets, including one for the disabled, which means worshippers won’t have to cross a busy road to reach toilets in the church hall.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) has approved plans in principle. The church has now launched an appeal entitled ‘The St Mary’s Community Spirit Appeal’ to help raise funds. Worshippers will approach individual donors and funding bodies, as well as holding fundraising events in the community.

Appeal organiser Steven Schrier said: “Our aims are not only to encourage people to renew their faith and to be able to worship in a more comfortable environment, but also to increase the use of this beautiful heritage building by making it available to the wider community for drama and music performances in an inspirational setting.”     

The first fundraising event of the appeal took place in October, with a Sixties pop concert at Hayling College, which raised nearly £2,000. More than 200 people enjoyed and danced to music in the style of Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Roy Orbison and the Everly brothers, played by top tribute band ‘Out of the Shadows’.

Lead guitarist Bob Lampard plays a Fender Stratocastor, the same guitar used by legends such as Hank Marvin, Bob Dylan and Buddy Holly. There were three other excellent musicians and two female vocalists who changed their dresses and wigs to match the eras of the music played.

The event included a presentation explaining the reasons for the appeal. A prayer was said for the vicar, the Rev Paul Ginever who is very ill, but he took the time to send a ‘good wishes’ message from his hospital bed. The mayor of Havant, Cllr John Smith opened the proceedings. 

For further details of the appeal or to donate, contact Steven Schrier on 023-9246 3595 or steven@schriers.com