Members of All Saints Parish Congleton presented a vision for a sustainable future for St. Peter's Church, Chapel Street, to the Town Council on Thursday evening.

St Peter's is Congleton's Civic Church built in 1742 by the aldermen and townspeople to replace a decaying wooden chapel. It is the only grade 1 listed building in the town centre. Over the last twenty years the congregation has re-roofed the church, restored the two large west windows and restored the beautiful central plaster ceiling, An accessible toilet, small kitchen and servery were installed in the north and south porches over 2005-2008. This work has been funded by the congregation, members of the public and grant making bodies including the Heritage Lottery Fund. However, despite these efforts the church is on the Heritage at Risk register.

Over the last twenty years the church has provided not only regular worship and civic services, but also free lunchtime recitals and talks, evening concerts and displays including participation in Congleton in Bloom. Currently St. Peter's is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the Spring and Summer. Realising the vision would enable greater community use.

The vision for the future is to provide the town with a major, sustainable building for a range of activities. The work would include completing the restoration work, preserving and enhancing the Georgian features at the East end and making a welcoming space as people enter the church.  

A large, adaptable space for modern worship and community events is envisaged with comfortable seating and improved sight lines using technology. A large platform would be included which could be used for both leading worship and for performances. Plans also include a space in one of the galleries accessed by lift, and two smaller rooms downstairs to accommodate displays, work with children, small meetings and private prayer.  An increased number of toilets and larger kitchen facilities would be accommodated in a small side extension.  Replaced heating and lighting will be from sustainable sources.

All Saints Parish provides church services and community activities in Brook Street at St. Stephen's Church, in Buglawton at St. John's Church and Community Centre and in Mossley at Holy Trinity Church and the Chappell Centre.  A restored and developed St.Peter's town centre hub would offer individuals, groups and schools an experience of aspects of Congleton's history, comfortable space for worship and reflection; meeting, performance and display spaces, promote personal wellbeing and support the town's heritage, creative and cultural life. The Parish would welcome ideas on needed improvements and suggestions on other activities St. Peter's might be used for.

Without changes St. Peter's risks becoming another Moody Hall and the opportunity to provide our growing town with a unique, adaptable and sustainable community asset for this generation and those to come will be lost.

There will be a public consultation in the town centre on Saturday, 14 October, when St Peter's in Chapel Street will also be open 10am – 3pm. The Parish would welcome hearing views from the public at this event.