St Mary’s

Thakeham

A grade I listed church, dating back to the 12th century and located at the heart of the rural community of the village of Thakeham.

Works involved an extensive reordering project and conservation of the historic fabric, as well as the erection of an annexe which provided a new vestry with storage and a flexible meeting room, complete with accessible WC facilities and a new plant room.

The annexe was carefully detailed to be subservient to the church, lying low and built into the ground, with oak board-on-board cladding which is weathering to a silver, complementing the colour of the stonework.  Glazing was used to form a junction between the modern and historic, allowing the once external stonework and the 12th century window to still be viewed.

The church has an expanding congregation who are keen to use the building for more events and to enhance the community. The reordering project and new annexe involved a fine balance of providing useable, flexible spaces while protecting and celebrating the significant historic building.

Works started on site in summer 2019, completing in 2021, and the project received Highly Commended at the 2022 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards.

Previous articles about the project are available on our News pages:

Highly commended at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2022

Planning permission granted for annexe extension at St Mary’s Church, Thakeham