On this page you will find the latest information about our proposals to extend and reorder the church and how you can contribute. You can download our Appeal brochure here:
Our Vision
- A flexible, warm and welcoming space at the heart of the community
- In frequent use by both church and local residents
- A sustainable future for our beautiful building
The Benefits
- A modern, well equipped meeting and activity space for toddler groups, exercise and hobby classes
- A church we can arrange for different worship styles, concerts and fundraising events
- On site hospitality for baptism, wedding and funeral gatherings
The Annexe
A meeting space for approx. 50 people which can be subdivided
- A small well equipped kitchen and two toilets, one with full wheelchair access
- An office, welcoming area and storage space
- Underfloor heating powered by heat pumps
The Church
- Modern, elegant and robust chairs will provide flexibility and comfort
- The essential beauty of the building with its high vaulted roof, pillars and stained-glass windows will be enhanced.
- A raised platform will offer better visibility
- Access will be significantly improved
We will also
- Install modern and energy efficient heating and lighting
- Provide a raised platform at the front of the church to enhance visibility and access
- Set out an area of informal seating at the back of church for quiet conversation.
- carefully record the current interior of the church and retain an example pew with poppyhead.
Support from statutory bodies
Dacorum Borough Council:
“this Facility would benefit not only the church but the wider community”
Church Buildings Council:
“the impact on the significance of the building…has been robustly justified”
Bovingdon Parish Council:
“ the proposal would improve the quality of our community facilities…and has our enthusiastic support”
Support from the community
- The raised platform, flexible seating and access to warm up and changing facilities would be welcomed by performing groups
- Improved sightlines, layout and access would enable Bovingdon Primary Academy to expand their use of the building
- The Welcome Café could stay in church all year round
- Exercise groups could practise and socialise together
What it will cost: £1.6m
We have already raised: £0.9m
Can you help us raise the rest?
Donor recognition
- All gifts made via the campaign office will be personally acknowledged.
All gifts over £1,000 will be permanently commemorated in the new building and donors will be invited to special events.
Fundraising: community appeal launched October 2024
We launched our appeal to the St Lawrence congregation at the beginning of October and are now extending it to the whole community. Here are our key appeal documents:
Our appeal brochure:
A form for those wishing to make a single donation
A form for those wishing to pledge a regular monthly amount over a 3 year period
A form for Companies wishing to pledge a regular monthly amount over a 3 year period
3 year Deed of Covenant companies
For an editable Word version of any of these forms please contact admin@stlawrencebovingdon.com
We need to raise £1.6m to realise our Vision. So far we have promises and pledges amounting to over £900,000, including £450,000 from the sale of our existing Hall (STC), £250,000 from grant making trusts and £100,000 from our own funds.
Past key events:
Faculty granted: 2023
In 2023 we submitted plans to the Diocese of St Albans to reorder the inside of the church to create an open, flexible space suitable for modern church worship and for church and community events including concerts, fundraisers and festivals. These have been approved and we have now been granted a Faculty which is the final step in the approval process.
You can read the Faculty judgement here
2023 Bovingdon St Lawrence Judgement
Sample brick/flint panels
The purpose of this length of brickwork is to show different combinations of brick and flint which might be used on the annexe.
The flint panels use a combination of flints chosen to match the existing church walls.
All the bricks come from H G Matthews in Chesham. Their colours have been chosen to match the bricks used in the perimeter wall of the church yard.
There are three panels (sections) of brick. From left to right:
Grey brown multi
Grey brown multi with Red-Purple
Grey brown multi with Luton Grey
The emerging consensus is that the Red-Purple bricks are too bright and that the right hand section offers the best combination of colours:
If you would like to express a view please contact The Vicar Revd Charles Burch on 01442 833298 or e-mail vicar@stlawrencebovingdon.com
Planning permission granted: 2022
Our plans for an annexe on the North East corner of our church were approved by Dacorum Borough Council on 10th March 2022. You can read the full report on our application here.
Dacorum planning recommendation March 2022
For more detailed information on our application here are some Architect’s drawings of the proposed Annexe
Architect’s drawings showing some possible alternative layouts of the interior of the church
1248_PP 026 Proposed -Layout Sunday service
1248_PP 029 Potential layout -antiphonal_interactive drama etc
1248_PP 028 Proposed Layout_festivals
A more detailed plan for the nave platform and ramp at the front of the church
Photographs of churches which have movable rather than fixed seating
Accompanying documents including the Statement of Need, Design and Access Statement, Heritage Statement and Pew report by Dr Charles Tracy
1248_Statement of need Aug 2021 FInal
1248_DAS-Extension to the Church of St Lawrence Bovingdon_final