Repair works have started to restore the Victorian Grade II listed St Denys Church, which was designed by the celebrated architect George Gilbert Scott and consecrated in 1868.
• Pics from church roof: Bitterne Park sparkling in the sunshine!
Both the interior and exterior are largely unaltered since that time. The Anglican church is regularly used for services, weddings and funerals. In addition, the building is widely used by the community for concerts, exhibitions and local school events, and provides rehearsal space for arts groups such as The Mayflower Youth Theatre.
An eroded mild steel 1950s downpipe
The building works, which include repairs to the roof, windows and rainwater goods, have been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage’s Repair Grants for Places of Worship Scheme, the Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust, All Churches Trust, The Garfield Weston Foundation and Viridor Credits Environmental Company.
The local community have also contributed to the cost of the building project through a range of fundraising activities including quiz nights, book sales, summer fetes and Christmas bazaars.
Amanda Talbot-Jones, Head Teacher at St Denys Primary School, says: “The church is an integral part of the St Denys community and it is essential that that the building is developed and maintained to ensure it is able to be accessed by all. The school has close links with the Church. Visits are made at least six times per year with children making regular visits as part of their topic work as well as termly whole school events.
“In order for this to continue we will need to ensure that the building is safe, well maintained and has adequate heating. We hope to continue to visit and use the building as it enriches the opportunities we can offer to the children and gives them a sense of the history of the area.”
The repair works are expected to finish in May. The church will be open for services as usual over the Easter period, including an all-age Easter celebration service at 11.00am on Easter Sunday.
Inside St Denys Church
• Pics from church roof: Bitterne Park sparkling in the sunshine!
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