As we look toward the 150th of All Saints' church in 2025, the Vestry of the Parish is taking time to consider how we can refurbish and restore the building to emphasise both the taonga it is to the story of our community and that of Taradale, as well as how useful it remains to the life of worship of our church.
As those who use the space regularly will know, there is a dimension to which All Saints' is marked by the enthusiasm of each generation, with a mixture of styles, surfaces and quality of work that leave it feeling a complicated space. As we look to celebrating its history, the desire is to restore a unity to the whole of the space and emphasise the dimensions and framing of the original designs - strong stained-glass windows framing a native timber building all expressing an air of worshipful calm. At present, we are exploring how to minimise the presence of technology as a primary sight in the space, allowing the architecture and windows to tell the story they were designed to write. This will also see us trying to minimise the disjuncture of colour and style in the building, helping to make it all feel like a coherent space.
At the same time as this, we are also wanting to ensure that All Saints' is future proofed for future ministry needs and gatherings that may need to be held within. As such, while there is a desire to minimise the physical presence of technology, we will be looking to install audio visual and lighting systems that allow us to create environments and spaces better than we presently can. Alongside this, we are exploring heating and cooling options that would allow for more efficient management of these parts of gathering in All Saints'.
Current areas of review:
The church is booked to be painted from ceiling to floor in January by Eric Wigg (The owner was an apprentice when the ceiling was last painted).
The carpet from office foyer through the church is the be replaced. Some of this will be via an insurance claim from historic damage.
The opaque glass on the left-hand side of All Saints that would look into the courtyard is being considered for replacement by clear glass to help the space feel wider and less dated.
The speakers and many lines will be replaced and simplified and a default touch-based system designed to run 'ordinary' gatherings, limiting complexity of operation.
New LED lights will be installed, including ones that allow for full colour wash of ceiling, sanctuary, and most spaces.
Seating is to be reviewed to ensure the space can be flexible to offer gathering in multiple forms into the future.
Heating and Cooling via different systems will be priced and considered as a more efficient alternative to the current one.
The family room will be redesigned to be more centred toward families and safer than it presently is.
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