Crowthorne Baptist Church

Extension and Refurbishment of Crowthorne Baptist Church

Sector: Community
Client: Crowthorne Baptist Church
Value range: £500k – £1m

We successfully extended and refurbished Crowthorne Baptist Church, transforming it into a new community hub. This project included the construction of a new church building and the refurbishment and remodelling of the existing worship area to accommodate various community uses, including a Nursery School.

Scope of work

Site Preparation & Demolition:
Located on the High Street in Crowthorne, the project faced restricted access and required work on the entire site footprint. The existing nursery building was demolished to make way for the new construction.

Foundations & Substructure:
Following demolition, concrete strip foundations were excavated, and contaminated ground was safely disposed of. Substructure walls below the DPC included an underfloor ventilation system and a preformed fiberglass baptistry pool.

Covid-19 Impact:
In late March 2020, work was suspended due to government lockdown regulations following the Covid-19 outbreak, resulting in a four-week closure.

Construction Resumption:
Upon resuming, beam and block flooring was installed, and blockwork cavity wall construction commenced for external rendering and internal plastering. A structural steelwork frame, including roof members with preformed glue-laminated beams, was erected. These beams, connected with stainless steel tie and support rods, became a key feature in the new worship area.

Roofing & Plant Room:
The main roof was covered with interlocking concrete tiles, while single-storey areas received single-ply roofing systems. A Plant Room was created at the first-floor level, accessed by a new timber staircase with stainless steel and glass balustrading.

Internal Modifications:
In the old church, new metal stud partition walls were constructed to create a new kitchen, W.C. facilities, meeting room, minister’s office, kitchenette, and storage facilities. All existing doors and windows were replaced with new aluminium powder-coated installations, including automated double doors at new entrances and bi-fold doors for the Nursery’s external play area.

Interior Finishes:
Ceramic tiling was installed in the five newly created W.C. areas, with American White Oak doors and glazed screens throughout. Acoustic ceilings and wall panelling were installed in the main worship area, with suspended ceilings in other areas. The entire building was fully decorated, and new floor coverings were provided.

Mechanical & Electrical Systems:
Some existing mechanical and electrical installations were retained, but new areas received comprehensive upgrades, including power, lighting, fire alarms, security systems, access control, underfloor heating, domestic services, and ventilation systems.

External Works:
External areas were paved to match the existing High Street streetscape, with new planting beds and illuminated signage.

The official opening of the new facilities took place in April 2021, with the dedication service held in September 2021 due to Covid-19 guidelines. This project exemplifies our commitment to creating functional, welcoming spaces that serve the diverse needs of the community.