Exciting Progress Underway!

The transformation of St. Mary’s is officially in full swing! Bakers of Danbury have taken charge of the building site, ushering in the first phase of excavation. As the rubble pile grows, an archaeologist carefully inspects and documents any hidden historical treasures that emerge. For those eager to stay connected, make sure to follow our weekly updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayforwardstebbing.

In early September, the church community joined forces for a monumental task: packing up the entire building’s contents. From kitchen spoons to pew-side Bibles, altar rail cloths to children’s toys tucked in corners – everything was boxed with care. The day buzzed with teamwork, laughter, and the delicious aroma of barbecued hot dogs courtesy of Chris Beaven, creating a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.

Just a week later, the skilled team from Bakers of Danbury undertook the colossal task of moving all items, including an impressively long pew, weighty ornate chairs, and the hefty sound desk, onto a flatbed truck bound for secure storage. Meanwhile, Cliveden Conservation set up scaffolding to inspect the church’s walls for any hidden historical wall paintings. The discovery of some ancient traces added a touch of mystery and excitement to the project as they assessed the paintwork for future redecoration.

October saw the contractors launch into significant preliminary work at St. Mary’s. Protective barriers were carefully set up around pillars and permanent fixtures like the pulpit and font to safeguard them during construction. The outdated radiators were dismantled and their pipework removed, and the infrared heaters—which had been the church’s only source of warmth for the past five years—were taken down. To keep the site well-lit for the workers, temporary bright lights were installed. The kitchen was dismantled, and the flooring in the church was lifted brick by brick, with plans to re-lay any viable pieces after the installation of underfloor heating.

In other news, we are thrilled to welcome Sandi Merifield as our Volunteer and Training Coordinator, alongside Karen Clark, who will be sharing administrative duties with me for the project. The road ahead is filled with diligent planning as we prepare to roll out community activities next year.