Major revamp at St Peter Mancroft Church will create space for arts and activities

One of our churches, St Peter Mancroft, is to temporarily close as a £220,000 transformation gets underway to make it more accessible to music, drama and dance.

The development is part of a broader vision of strengthening St Peter Mancroft Church’s connection with the arts by offering a flexible and accessible space for a variety of activities.

Interim minister, Ian Bentley, said it was crucial that the church continued to serve the city.  “This project is a vital part of the developing vision of the church as it seeks to serve the current age.  Our building is a beautiful historic building, but it is not a museum.  It is a living and breathing part of the mission of Christ to this generation.

“The changes, together with the beautiful west doors, better sound and heritage offering will add to and enhance Norwich’s creative, cultural and spiritual life and strengthen our links with the wider community.”

The church’s historic bell tower will also undergo construction work, marking the culmination of the Mancroft Appeal 300.

As part of the development, the Mancroft Ringing Discovery Centre will be built, offering members of the public the chance to learn about bell ringing.  To make space for the centre, the ancient ringing room at a higher level of the tower will be restored.

There were also some beautiful photos of St Peter Mancroft’s interior featured in the photo essay section of the Eastern Daily Press on January 4.