Rustington parish church transformation celebrated ten years on as significant milestone in the life of the church and community

Removing the pews at St Peter and St Paul Church gave more room for people to gather and the services are now regularly filled with a large congregation.

The church has celebrated ten years since the transformation with a party on Thursday, July 30. Seen as a significant milestone in the life of the church and community, the anniversary was marked at the first of the weekly summer gatherings, featuring free crafts, games and refreshments.

Vicar, the Rev Natalie Bawcutt, said: “We had the pews taken out so we could us the church as a flexible space. The previous vicar started it before retiring and I did the chancel. It was nice to come in with the vision to take it forward and say 'let's do it'.

“We have about 120 people at the Parish Eucharist and around 100 volunteers across the Pantry and the church, and it is just brilliant.”

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths popped in to chat to people at the celebration and Natalie showed her a display of photos showing how the church used to look, telling her what a difference the changes had made.

Church furniture maker Treske worked in the 13th century nave and chancel, replacing the heavy Victorian pews with stackable chairs and crafting custom benches for the choir.

Natalie came to the church in 2019 and was able to see through the completion of the transformation with a striking central altar and matching credence table.

Bespoke clergy seating, preaching lecterns and a paschal candle stand completed the new look, breathing new life into the heritage space.

The first part of the refurbishment was overseen by the previous vicar, the Rev Zachary Allen, before he retired in August 2018 after 17 years in the village. He felt the changes brought new faces to the church, ensuring services were filled with people of all ages.

The interior of the church was previously much as it had been since 1861 – inflexible, cold and inadequately lit, with an out-of-date sound system. The aim was to refurbish it for the 21st century without destroying the fine features of the Grade II listed building.

Speaking before his retirement, Zachary said: “I am mindful that those who shared the vision really put their shoulders to the wheel and without their unstinting co-operation and work, it would not have come about.”

The removal of the dark pews opened up the views of the columns and arches. The old tiles were taken out and a modern underfloor heating system was installed before a new stone floor was laid.

The dark oak pulpit was removed to create a more flexible and open worship space. Purpose-built new oak cupboards were designed to provide practical storage that complemented the historic character of the church.

Pantry volunteer Grace Sims said: “The project transformed the building by removing the pews and creating a flexible space that is now used for a wide range of community activities and events, as well as regular worship.

“Over the past ten years, the reordered church has hosted school holiday gatherings, harvest meals, community events, concerts, exhibitions, support activities and much more. It has enabled us to welcome many people through our doors who might not otherwise have entered a church building.”

The free holiday gatherings have been held since the summer of 2022 and will continue this year on Thursdays in August from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Grace said: “The church is always bustling with people and the gatherings have become a valued part of community life in Rustington. They bring together people of all ages for refreshments, crafts, music, conversation and friendship.

“The church reordering has enabled initiatives such as the gatherings to flourish. We celebrated both the anniversary of the reordering and the positive impact it has had on the wider community.”