Nottingham-based architects Cox Freeman have helped a Derbyshire
church become a hub of activity after managing a complete rebuild
of the community facility.
The £595,000 project for Ripley Methodist Church involved
demolishing the existing Victorian building and creating a new
church and multi-purpose community centre.
The two-storey facility has now been officially opened and is
home to a string of community groups for all ages, as well as the
church congregation.
"We are delighted to hear that Ripley Methodist Church has
become such an important focus in the community," said Chris
Boffin, managing director of Cox Freeman, based in Stoney Street,
The Lace Market. "This has been the third church project that Cox
Freeman has been involved in, and one that gave us immense pride to
work on."
Using plans originally drawn up by the Nottingham-based Howitt
Partnership, Cox Freeman oversaw the project from tender to
completion.
"It was a difficult site access wise, as the church was down a
narrow road, surrounded by houses, but the project went very
smoothly and we are very pleased to have been a part of it. It
gives us great satisfaction to be involved in community schemes
such as this, which are becoming something of a speciality for us,"
added Chris Boffin.
Ripley Methodist Church bookings secretary Brian Rose said a
wide range of community groups were now using the church, including
a mother and toddler group, a friendship circle for retired people,
and exercise and slimming groups. It was also being used for bingo
sessions, demonstration evenings and parties - with bookings
already being made as far in advance as October.
"We are very pleased with the building, which is being used by
several different community groups and is being booked by a number
of different agencies and organisations," said Brian.
The project, which has been the result of several years of
planning and consultation between the church and existing and
potential users of the building, has created 366m² of space on
the ground floor and 58m² of space on the first floor.
Facilities at the Wood Street church include a community hall,
rooms and a modern kitchen.