The purpose of this document is to provide an outline of the future vision for the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Elson as envisaged by the Clergy, Churchwardens, PCC and worshippers of that Church.

It seeks to set out a model of future development which echoes the architectural style and history of the church, incorporating much of the historical legacy upon which we are founded, but is a contemporary statement of where we find ourselves today in such a way that will be seen by subsequent generations as a legacy of good design and liturgical practice.

The Parish of the St Thomas the Apostle see the building as a metaphor for its liturgical and pastoral role within this community, and seek to provide a worthy focus for that among the peoples of Elson and Hardway. We believe that the building will speak of the care that people receive and that an uncared building will suggest to the community that they themselves will not be cared for. We seek therefore to invest in this building as a tool of our mission and outreach.

As a community of worshippers, our lives are focussed on sacramental worship: through the Eucharist, through Baptism, through prayer and healing, reconciliation and renewal, this church seeks to provide a sacred space where God may be encountered. The liturgy of the church, therefore, provides the key impetus to all our future plans: a place where the people of God may by challenged by the risen Lord in word and sacrament.

The Parish of the St Thomas the Apostle was formed in 1845 to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population on the eastern side of Gosport. The small villages of Elson and Hardway were to be served by a Church built in a design very similar to that of Littlemore Church, Oxford by HJ Underwood. No actual records of the building or design of St Thomas remain.

The parish is an urban environment with a variety of housing stock and social profile. It currently serves an established population of around 9000 souls. The recent development work at Priddy’s Hard provides around another 2000 homes, but it is not clear how many souls that means as many of the homes are bought as second homes and are largely unoccupied, and many others are the subject of fast-turnaround short lets which are difficult to track.

The social profile is mixed, especially if one excludes Priddy’s Hard. The indices of multiple deprivation show that Elson is in the bottom 25% of the county of Hampshire when a variety of social deprivation indices are compared[ Note 1]

The worshipping community of St Thomas’ is a small but committed group of Anglicans. Morning and Evening Prayer is said in Church six days a week. In addition to a said mass at 8am and the principle act of worship, the Parish Mass at 10am on a Sunday, the Eucharist is offered twice a week at 7.30pm on a Wednesday and 10am on a Friday. Additional masses are celebrated on Solemnities and some feasts.

In addition, prayer groups and other devotions are offered during the week at various times.

The Church is used by the local community for worship: local schools make regular visits as part of their curriculum and Uniformed organisations are involved.

Numbers of worshippers are as follows:

Service	Average Attendance
Sunday 8am Mass	11
Sunday 10am Parish Mass	40
Wednesday 7.30pm Mass	8
Friday 10am Mass	15
Other Masses	15-20
Daily Office	1-2, 6 on Mondays
Other devotions/prayer	5-8

Services of particular significance where attendance has been extremely high include Christmas Eve Christingle Service (around 100, mainly children), Midnight Mass at Christmas (around 70) and Remembrance Sunday (attended by members of 33 Field Regiment making a total of around 200-250 worshippers). These are, however, very unusual occurrences.

It is a small sacred space, unencumbered by pillars or blocks to the line of sight, and a congregation of 50 in the nave makes it look quite full. The chancel and sanctuary however, are disproportionate, taking up almost a third

The building has undergone a number of developments and transformations since 1845.

• Originally designed with 409 sittings, some of the original pews remain. Seating at present is for around 140, with a further 40 in the gallery
• In 1948, the organ was moved from the chancel area to the gallery, requiring the removal and destruction of gallery seating. Pews in the Nave were removed and destroyed and a large reredos, altar, choir stalls and chancel screen which formed a small pulpit were installed in a wood which was not consistent with existing woodwork. Electric lighting was installed.
• The church was re-roofed in 1957.
• The Churchyard which had been closed since 1906, was cleared of headstones in 1969.
• In 1971 the bell was removed from the tower. Its whereabouts are not recorded in the PCC minutes.
• A Gas Warm Air System was installed in 1979 replacing the oil fired boiler.
• The Sanctuary was carpeted in the early 1980’s in a bright red and highly patterned carpet.
• A door to the south of the church was completed in 1991 to provide a second exit and disabled access. Pews were removed and destroyed to enable this. It has recently been determined that there is a significant discrepancy between the plans authorised by the DAC at the time and the site of the door: it is 1 metre out and has been placing that part of the wall under undue stress. We are determining a long term strategy to address this, which may in due course require resiting of that door but which is outside of the remit of this vision document.
• In 1993 the heating system was replaced by electric panels.
• The rear of the church was converted into a Narthex, new vestry and toilet facilities finally installed in 2005. Pews were removed and a stone font (which had been covered in masonry paint at an unknown date in the 1960’s) was dismantled and placed in the foundations of the Narthex to enable this. Four pews were removed and destroyed as they were not of saleable quality.
• An archdeacon’s temporary faculty was issued in Summer 2006 to remove five pews which had rotted at the base and were therefore unsafe. At least three of these pews had rotted to such an extent that they broke completely on removal. These 5 pews remain in storage until a permanent faculty for their disposal is granted.
• A Schedule B faculty was granted in October 2006 to remove panelling above the gallery which had been installed in 1967 by a team of RN ratings from HMS Sultan, which covered the original wood carving, enabling their restoration.
• A free-standing screen was placed to the right of the reredos in 2005 and the liturgy is often supported by projected images, videos, hymn words and liturgical words. This innovation has been warmly received by the congregation, and its distinctive use within sacramental liturgy is currently being noted by the Archbishop’s Fresh Expressions working group. A free-standing Personal Address System is also in situ, enabling amplification of the spoken liturgy and driving the temporary domestic hearing loop as well as the use of drama and multimedia in both experimental and traditional forms within worship.

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The PCC and the people of Elson seek to build upon the existing heritage of the Church of St.Thomas the Apostle in Elson Road in order to facilitate the worship, prayer and spiritual development of its people. The Clergy and PCC have consulted widely within the parish, and the involvement and authority of the PCC at each stage of the decision-making process signifies that this vision for the future is owned by its worshipping community.

In this reordering vision, we seek to provide an example of good architectural style and liturgical practice which will be a lasting legacy for future generations.

The Statement of Significance (above) has described in detail the current nature, style and tradition of the Church, and so this section of the document will lay out the envisioned end-result of a sequence of re-ordering. Financial constraints mean that reordering will take place over a phased period and under the authority of a number of distinct faculties. The exact content of these faculties will be identified as and when the Diocesan Advisory Committee deem them to be appropriate.

It is accepted therefore, that this will remain in a state of transition over a number of years, but the stages planned to achieve the end result will ensure that each stage leaves the parish with a workable and effective point within which to continue God’s work. However, it is recognised that during these transitional stages, some elements of dissonance of style and colour will arise; but this document will confirm that this is a pragmatic solution for an end result which will glorify God whilst providing practical solutions to Elson’s building problems on the way.

Continuing the work already done on the Narthex (2005), the parish seeks to return the church to a simpler form, with fewer distractions from its central purpose: the worship of God.

Five pews of these were removed in 2005 for safety reasons subject to an Archdeacon’s Temporary faculty. These are in storage, but this application seeks to destroy those five as they are not salvageable.

Any of the 10 pews to be removed found to be saleable will be disposed of on the open market. Any unsuitable for commercial recovery to be destroyed.

These pews to be replaced by Churchill Style Chairs from Rosehill Furniture Group, Riverside Park, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1DL in plain beech wood (without stain) covered in Bluebell extra-weight fabric (tested and warrantied to 150,000 rubs). A swatch of the fabric is attached to this application.

Intermediate Steps

With the pews removed there remain in use 45 wooden chairs which dates from the 1920’s. The parish does not have the resources to remove these at present, and so proposes to purchase an initial tranche of fifty chairs, enabling the provision of a mixed economy of 95 seats in the Nave and a further 30 in the Gallery.

Over the period of this reordering, we propose to purchase two further tranches of forty chairs, with the removal and destruction or sale of the wooden chairs with the final tranche of Churchill Chairs. This will cause a certain dissonance in the transitional stage between two different styles of chair, but with careful placement of them in the sacred space, this will be minimised.

The final seating availability will be 175 in the Nave and 30 in the gallery.

As can be seen from our current attendance in the statement of need, and the dimensions of this small church, this is an adequate amount of seating for both our usual and unusual congregations.

These furnishings, originally installed in 1949 are of a style and size unsuited to the dynamics of this sacred space. Their removal will open up the sanctuary environment and enable a moving together of the altar and the people.

Although some of the wood from the chancel screen may be retained for future construction, items not sold on the open market will be destroyed.

The Choir will be seated in chairs (see design suggested in section 1, above) behind the altar.

At present, Holy Communion is distributed along the chancel screen. The altar rail has been redundant for some time.

The carpet was purchased in 1980 and is showing considerable signs of wear. It is of a bold and unnecessarily distracting design. We propose to remove this carpet and expose the bare stone of the chancel area, thus simplifying the sacred space.

The high altar is disproportionately large for the sacred space. The altar stone currently suspended in the high altar to be removed and inlaid into the existing 1959 smaller altar. This smaller altar is currently in use as the principal altar of the Church and is currently positioned in the middle of the chancel.

This altar is proposed to be the sole focus of sacramental worship within the church. Two altars are currently distracting, and when the smaller altar is no in use, it is threatened with desecration when used as storage or a display table. Good liturgical practice suggests a single focus in a space of this size.

The altar is proposed for destruction with the salvaging of wooden panels.

The 1949 Reredos is of exceptionally poor quality, distracting and imposing within this space: it covers the architectural and numerical symmetry of the stained glass and the arches below. Unless a buyer can be found, the Reredos is also proposed for destruction.

The Blessed Sacrament is currently reserved in an Aumbry to the left of the reredos. In its current position it is prone to dampness which impairs the longevity of the blessed  sacrament. The Aumbrey would be relocated in a central position below the largest central stained glass window and refashioned as a freestanding Aumbrey securely fixed to a pillar for security and lit by ceiling-mounted spotlights and a 7 day live candle would be positioned at the same height attached to an arch pillar. This would replace the live sanctuary candle currently suspended adjacent to the Aumbrey.

Spiritually, this serves to place a central focus on the Blessed Sacrament, and make clear the sacramental basis of our worship.

The existing floorboards, where possible to be reused when the floor is levelled to the same level as the Narthex, using the same technique of suspension. This permits a contiguous floor level from both entrances to the Nave and including the chancel space where the primary focus of sacramental worship takes place.

Installation of permanent hearing loop to replace the current temporary one. Provision of additional power at key points around the walls and facilities for audio and video signal transmission to be effected through hidden conduit below this flooring. Adequate access for repair and maintenance of the cables to be effected.

Preparatory works for the font to be installed at this time: plumbing and electrical feeds as required by the final font design and access provided to the font area for future maintenance. 

Installation of heating to be effected at this time. Heating to be provided by radiators situated at the perimeter of the Nave, to the same size and specification as those provided in the Narthex, but with the added provision of in-built radiator guards which will reduce the unsightliness of this necessary heating provision and provide safety for children and the vulnerable.

with appropriate power and data cabling. The portable screen and stand will remain and the projector used as at present to support the liturgy. Data cabling via conduits will permit the placement of the projector at floor level as at present in a number of positions directed by the needs of the liturgy. It is not appropriate to install a permanent screen which will detract from the harmony of the stained glass and arches.

A new, custom designed and built font to be placed in an axial position in the church: aligned at the cross-piece of west and south doors.

The parish has collectively put much thought into the vision of the font. Members of the parish travelled to Salisbury Cathedral to see examples of the work of artist Bill Pye, and our thinking has been influenced by this work, by installations such as outside the @Bristol Museums and to an extend the Diana Memorial Fountain in London. Keywords for our vision were:

• Stillness & Depth
• Flowing of Water
• Streams
• Flexibility
• Movement

This font is to be a unique design which will echo some of the existing materials used to build the church and also make a bold statement of the significance of baptism in the life of this parish in a modern architectural idiom which reinforces current liturgical practice and architecture and which will in future be seen as a good example of 21^st Century style and design.

Clearly this is not an off-the-peg solution and we seek a visionary design partner to make this initial vision a reality. An initial impression sketch is included overleaf. We would appreciate any advice from the DAC of a suitable design partner.

The themes of this font are to be stillness and movement: a free-standing but permanently sited font in wood and brushed steel: a combination of natural and industrial materials that reflects the craft and military shipbuilding history of Elson and Hardway.

The initial vision comprises of a conical waist-high structure featuring a deep pool of still slightly warmed water. The elliptical edge leads to a place where the water flows down a channel (where water may be scooped from) onto a stone base, which is reminiscent of the stone flags at the east end of the church. The water then moves over the edge of the base to be fed back into a closed, warmed and filtered water system.

This permits a variety of sacramental uses.

• When switched on, this pump-driven system enables the daily reminding of the baptismal promises as th people pass. In an axial position, the font is unavoidable.
• In baptism, very small children may be immersed in the deep pool. With its stillness the pool will reflect the roof timbers. Children held in arms may alternatively be baptised by the scooping of water from either the deep pool or the flowing edge.
• Older children or adults may stand in or near the flowing water at the base and be baptised by pouring which is reminiscent of the renaissance images of the baptism of Christ by artists such as Piero della Francesca.

The font should be highlighted by spotlights, which will make particular effect of the brushed steel sides.

A closed water system will drive the font, electrically operated at near silent water levels. A low sound of water movement is expected from the flow of water over the edge. The water collection system at the base of the font allows for filtration and warming of the circulating water which obviates the need for chlorination or any other form of chemical purification. Electrical control of the pump and flow will mean than energy is not wasted when the church is not in use. It would be expected that this dynamic symbol of sacramental life would be switched on at all times when the church was in use as a reminder of the living waters of Christ.

This is a bold and visionary element of our reordering plans, and we seek the opportunity to create a powerful and different statement of baptism where previously there was none.

Subject to approval, we envisage this reordering to form a number of discrete phases as detailed above under these headings:

1. Removal of the remaining 10 pews dating from 1845, Provision of Chairs

2. Removal of the Chancel Screen, Carpet, Pulpit, Altar Rail and Choir Pews

3. Removal of the 1949 Altar and Reredos

4. Moving of the Reserved Sacrament

5. Levelling of the floor from Narthex to Steps. Heating and Lighting.

6. Restoration of the 6 arches below the stained glass

7. Provide Audio and Video Mixing Facilities in gallery, heating and lighting reprovision.

8. Provision of a new font.

This vision forms the basis for further detailed architectural specifications, the first phase of which are attached in this submission.

It has been discussed and passed by a meeting of the Parochial Church Council on November 23^rd 2006.

As can be seen, the parish has a strong vision for the future. It has reflected theologically upon its needs and produced a vision which is guided by current theological and liturgical practice. The centrality of the Eucharist in our worshipping lives is emphasised, and these plans seek to support the faith and enhance the worship for generations to come.

 

Revd Simon Rundell

Priest-in-Charge, St Thomas the Apostle, Elson

November 29^th 2006

 

 

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