Development of the United Reformed Church in Jesmond
Clients opinion: Although Jesmond United Reformed Church is a listed building with splendid stained glass, the initial impact on climbing the entrance steps was of a sea of dark wood pews and poor lighting. Now there is a new, gently ramped entrance leading into a spacious, light vestibule, with entry to both church and halls and toilets; the original small vestibule has become a stunning room, fronted with architectural glass, accessed along a passageway created from a previously open passage, with the archways part glazed. On entering the church the sweeping lines of the architecture and the glass draw the eye; there is lightness, warmth and a sense of welcome. The process of this very large piece of work, which cost £560,000, has been impressive: it came in on time and to budget, with a very high standard of finish throughout and we are all deeply grateful to Graham for his project management. As Chair of the Development Group, I have been impressed at the way in which we were kept fully involved throughout, and with Graham’s willingness to attend with us the many meetings we have had to attend to seek permissions and financial help from the wider church, and the way in which the inevitable problems raised by such a huge work on an old building have been tackled and solved with creativity and patience – sometimes great patience! Church members are thrilled at the transformation of the whole building, being all we imagined, and far, far more.
– Rev. Ruth Crofton, Chair of Development Group
I split the project into two phases as follows;
Phase 1
I closed the church for 12 weeks and carried out a complete refurbishment of the interior.
The intention of the refurbishment was to restore the church to its original condition whilst also sensitively addressing the need for extra light and heat. The work involved asbestos removal, removing the pews, completely rewiring and relighting the church, installing a new sound system and audio loop, replacing the heating system, cleaning the internal stonework and organ pipes, redecorating (including gilding), floor levelling and carpeting. In all, I appointed and managed over twenty different sub-contract companies on behaIf of the church.
Phase 2
The second phase comprised the construction of a new link building between the church and church hall, along with the replacement of the original entrance doors with a structural glazing system, external landscaping and the installation of new toilet and storage facilities in the church hall. I appointed an architect to provide a detailed design which was very carefully considered to complement the original architecture and was praised by English Heritage.
Window Replacement and Stone Repair at the United Reformed Church in Barnard Castle
Graham Hatt was recommended to Barnard Castle URC by the Northern Synod of the United Reformed Church. He very speedily made a site visit and grasped the building problems we were facing and contacted firms who could supply the specialised quotes we required. We had little expertise within the congregation who could then find appropriate funding bodies but again Graham was able to provide that service and was successful in not only seeking out funding bodies but making the appropriate applications. We are grateful for his work, his interest and his ‘walking alongside us’ as we made this journey, without his expert help we would have been completely lost. I have no hesitation in recommending him to others.
– Revd. Hilary Collinson
I generated a detailed specification for the restoration of the original sash windows and the repair of the external sandstone walls which I tendered to generate a detailed cost estimate. I then made grant applications on behalf of the church and was successful in obtaining funding from; the All Churches Trust, the Northumbria Historic Churches Trust, the National Churches Trust, the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and GlaxoSmithKline.
Development of the United Reformed Church in Darlington, Northgate
In 2015 I carried out the initial scoping of this project which included; removal of the pews, replacement of the heating system, complete internal redecoration, the installation of a small kitchenette and the modification to the existing main entrance doors to include glazed panels. Having agreed the scope and budget with the development group, I then made grant applications to a large number of organisations and, in late 2016, we reached our funding goal. I then delivered the project over the summer of 2017.
In 2019/20 I completed significant development projects at Rothbury United Reformed Church, the central URC Northern Synod Offices in Newcastle and Stockton Road URC in Sunderland. I am also currently (Winter 20/21) delivering projects at Horsley URC and St Cuthbert’s URC on Holy Island.