Hundreds celebrate completion of Dockyard Church restoration project

New life was breathed into Sheerness Dockyard Church on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, when more than 150 people poured into the building. The visitors, who have all been connected to the restoration project funders, architects and contractors, students, local councillors and religious leaders were heralded in by the Sheppey Sea Cadets.

Photo by Matthew Andrews

The evening event included speeches from Stuart McLeod of @heritagefunduk, Duncan Wilson from @historicengland and the trust's own Chairman, Will Palin.

Stuart McLeod ~ Director London & South, The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Photo by Matthew Andrews

Stuart McLeod, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for London & South, says…

”At the Heritage Fund, we take a broad view of heritage and use this working definition of something from the past that you value and want to pass on to future generations and some projects are just extra special.
I have had the joy of being involved in early conversations, walking round in the rain when there was no roof on this church. It is an extraordinary transformation and I love the finish of the interior. There is something about the way it acknowledges and respects the past while anticipating it has a new use and audience.”

Duncan Wilson ~ CEO Historic England

Photo by Matthew Andrews

Duncan Wilson, CEO of Historic England said in his speech…

“Historic buildings can be a symbol of decay and neglect or ones of hope and revival and it is most exciting when they move from one to the other. This church epitomises that journey and it will soon be coming off the Historic England ‘At Risk Register’ and that is something none of us could have imagined eight years ago.

As well as an enterprise hub for young people, a café and a meeting space the church is also a home for the extraordinary Dockyard Model which has been in storage for longer than most of us would like to admit. A small part of which is seen here and it is another important creative link to the past.

Thanks to initiatives such as heritage action zones, heritage is now seen as an essential component in community revival, placemaking, well-being and levelling up. It is no longer a niche subject for people who are interested in heritage only, but something that can engage with society at large, with communities, as we can see with the re-use of this building; it inspires people and you cannot get that from an entirely new set of buildings.”

 

Lady Colgrain ~ Lord Lieutenant of Kent

Photo by Matthew Andrews

Those in attendance then warmly welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain for the cutting of the cake. Lady Colgrain addressed the audience with her speech, adding…

”In January 2022, when still a building site, the royal protection officers came to visit the Dockyard Church. It was a recce for the now King, who was going to visit Sheppey and other parts of Kent.

As we clambered around the scaffolding I saw them going green around the gills and saying ‘no way’! There were too many site hazards at the time but now let’s hope King Charles III will come to see this magnificent building. After all, Naval Dockyards are in Kent’s DNA.”

Photo from Lesley Bellew

Levelling Up Minister
Dehenna Davison M.P.

“I would like to pay tribute to the incredible work that has been taking place at Dockyard Church, which only two years ago still bore the scars of a devastating fire and had stood empty for 20 years.

It has since been rebuilt through the hard work of so many people, including the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust and partners. I am sure that this will be a much treasured local asset for years to come.

The new Dockyard Church, along with our £20 million investment through the Levelling Up Fund, will help to breathe new life into Sheerness and create fantastic new amenities for the whole community to enjoy.”

Site Updates

The building will now be handed over to Island Works to make ready and run a new enterprise centre. An official opening to the public will be on Saturday, 22nd July 2023. Everyone will be welcome. 

As this new chapter opens, we asked visitors for their first thoughts and impressions:

Tim Gibson ~ Leader of Swale Borough Council
I was on the scene as a firefighter when the building caught fire in 2001 and I never thought I would see the day it would be brought back so magnificently.

Mike Cosgrove
A Phoenix from the ashes that’s breathtakingly stunning and can be put to use straight away.

Paul Andrews ~ Fruitbowl Media
The building is a metaphor for young people – no matter how hard the journey, they can succeed here.

Sue Bower ~ Founder, The Pilgrim Trust
Glorious. It’s so awe-inspiring with such wonderful height and light.

Richard Oldfield
Fantastic. There’s a real buzz about this building. It will do a huge amount for the area, a shining beacon that lifts it all.

Angela Harrison ~ Sheerness councillor, chairman of housing and health committee
Well done, Will and the team. They didn’t give up and we have a wonderful refurbishment, not a re-model.

James Tremain ~ Spire Media Group
There’s a warming glow to this space with the sun beaming in and this compliments the stone and restoration. It really is an inspiring space to be in.

Leisse Gambell ~ Commanding Officer of Sheppey Sea Cadets
The light pouring in really hit me – and I was taken aback by the scale of what has been achieved here for the community.

Monique Bonney ~ Deputy leader, Swale Borough Council
What a fantastic restoration, a space where so much light filters into the church.

Kyra Cross ~ Monitoring and Communications office for Ideas Test, Creative People and Places National Portfolio
I come from a benefits-class background and having an amazing space like this for young people in similar circumstances gives them a place to thrive in warm and welcoming Sheerness and Sheppey.

Nathalie Banaigs ~ Kent Creative
It was not what I expected! Such a big, open space with a mix of old and new. Retaining the scorched pillars tells the story of the building.

Simon Marks
It is money well spent and a marvellous community project that will bring life to the area. I am impressed.

Tracy Brunt ~ Director, Ideas Test
I absolutely love the space, particularly the whitewashed walls – they are really effective and reflect the old and new styles.

Stuart Tanton ~ Kent Foundation
Stunning! This is such an inspiring building for the people of the island.

Julie Webb ~ Private Clients Director, Aston Lark
I came here when the aisle was overgrown with weeds, so I am blown away. The classical Georgian windows on all four sides of the building are simply beautiful. I really hope this will be a catalyst for regeneration in this area of North Kent.

Samantha Lahai-Taylor ~ KCC Principal Project Office for Placemaking and Wellbeing (Culture and Creative Economy team)
An amazing, sympathetic restoration where you can see the essence of the building which is such a good space for the community.

Ken Wilkin
There’s such a welcoming feeling as you walk in, a lovely atmosphere – and so much potential for groups who will use the building.

Marian Boswall ~ Landscape architect
It is so light! I am so excited to see this old building now breathing new life and hope for the future.

Anthony Mould
I always judge any architect in the way he or she handles light. Here, there is always light pouring in and that is so important.

Photos by Matthew Andrews

Community, NewsChris FouldsDockyard ChurchComment