From difficult challenge

In October 2025 the old gas-powered warm air heating system in the church failed permanently and was condemned as unsafe. Last winter, indoor temperatures dropped to 5°C, forcing services into our small hall, halting community events, and most concerning, isolating elderly and vulnerable people who could not attend the freezing building. The challenge is to replace the church heating system as quickly as possible.

To exciting opportunity

This difficult challenge has given us an exciting opportunity to do two things that align with St Paul’s mission and vision - to reduce our carbon footprint, and to create more flexible space in the church to allow for more creativity in our worship and a significant expansion of our community activities.

Reducing our carbon footprint

We will replace the gas heating systems in the church and the hall with a hybrid electric system. We will install two air source heat pumps which will supply underfloor heating in the church and radiators in the church and the hall. We will supplement this with infrared heating in zoned areas throughout the church. We will install an air curtain at the church entrance to reduce heat loss. We will also replace the existing halogen lightbulbs in the church with low energy LED lightbulbs. At a later phase we will install PV panels and battery storage.

Creating more flexible space

When we remove the pews for the heating works, we will not reinstate them. Instead, we will replace them with lightweight stackable chairs. This will allow us to offer new styles of worship and accommodate existing activities in the church that are outgrowing the hall such as our Connect Café, Babies and Toddlers Group, Friendship Group and Knit and Natter Craft and Chatter Group. We also hope to engage with new community activities such providing space for a Wellbeing Café where we will partner with the local NHS and specialist charities to provide accessible mental health support, physical check-ups, and a cafe.

Please see the gallery for AI images of what the church could look like.

How much we need to raise

Replacing the existing heating system alone is expected to cost approximately £350,000 plus VAT and associated professional fees. St Paul's has already raised £275,000 through church reserves, and generous donations from church members. We are applying for charitable grants and we have a programme of church fundraising activities.

How you can help

Every donation, however large or small, helps us move closer to creating a sustainable church and allows us to expand our programme of community activities. Please Gift Aid if you can.

• £10 will pay for an LED lightbulb

• £150 will pay for a chair

• £800 will pay for an infrared heater

• £1000 will pay for a LTHW radiator

• £3000 will pay for an air curtain

• £25000 will pay for an air source heat pump

Thank you for your generous support. Please do come and chat to us and see the display in church to find out more.