St. Werburgh's Church, Chorlton

The Diocese of Manchester has been successful in its bid for £5.035 million from the Church Commissioners’ Strategic Development Fund to develop projects that will help grow a younger and more diverse church. The money was used for three creative new interventions over five years, with the aim of reaching people aged under 40. St. Werburgh’s, Chorlton, was one of the two churches that Mark Pearce was appointed to as Architect.

At St. Werburgh’s a radical intervention of turning the orientation of the church building was developed following an exhaustive options appraisal. This work involved creating a new accessible entrance at the east end of the building, into a new café space, new west facing nave dais and an enclosed meeting / consultation / prayer space. A second phase of work is planned that will unite the hall with the church building.