St Marys Church - Cloisters Development

In 2006 the Parochial Church Council (PCC) considered developments to support community life that centred on St Mary’s Church in Stansted, Kent. To achieve this, facilities such as a meeting room, hospitality facilities, toilets, improved disabled access and additional storage, were planned for a new extension to the main church. Construction works started in 2013 and in October 2015 the ‘Cloisters’ were officially opened and consecrated by the Bishop of Rochester.
Each stage of the development, preparation, groundwork, and the relocation of graves prior to construction was photographed. The following gallery forms a comprehensive photographic record and the images are courtesy of John Mattick.

Each of the stones was carefully removed for storage. These would later be relocated. As several of the stones had ‘settled’ over the centuries, they would be placed in their new positions with deliberate but slight randomness and often, again intentionally, sloping a little off the vertical.
Each of the stones was carefully removed for storage. These would later be relocated. As several of the stones had ‘settled’ over the centuries, they would be placed in their new positions with deliberate but slight randomness and often, again intentionally, sloping a little off the vertical.
A mini excavator was used to remove soil at 120mm layers so that any remains and graves would be discovered without damage. Flags were used to indicate areas where the archaeologists would uncover detail by hand methods.
A mini excavator was used to remove soil at 120mm layers so that any remains and graves would be discovered without damage. Flags were used to indicate areas where the archaeologists would uncover detail by hand methods.
St Mary’s Church in 2010 - three years before work on the Cloisters commenced.
St Mary’s Church in 2010 - three years before work on the Cloisters commenced.
The contractors, Allen Construction, could make little progress when the detailed excavations were underway. Remains must be treated with respect and retained coherently in order to be reinterred later.
The contractors, Allen Construction, could make little progress when the detailed excavations were underway. Remains must be treated with respect and retained coherently in order to be reinterred later.
Excavating downwards reached the undisturbed basis, solid chalk, more than a metre into the side of the sloping bank.
Excavating downwards reached the undisturbed basis, solid chalk, more than a metre into the side of the sloping bank.
Apart from many remnants of broken clay pipes - probably used by the gravediggers hundreds of years earlier - this slim wedding band was the only item. It was reinterred with the remains with which it was found. Overall the ancient residents were a healthy community; the archaeology noted little evidence of diseases that would be commonplace in city areas of those centuries.
Apart from many remnants of broken clay pipes - probably used by the gravediggers hundreds of years earlier - this slim wedding band was the only item. It was reinterred with the remains with which it was found. Overall the ancient residents were a healthy community; the archaeology noted little evidence of diseases that would be commonplace in city areas of those centuries.
The historic stones were relocated. These can still be viewed near the east side of the churchyard. Their positioning reflects something of the slight arbitrariness that existed in their previous locations. Placing also reflects the dispositions and character that so often exist in historic churchyard sites such as this.
The historic stones were relocated. These can still be viewed near the east side of the churchyard. Their positioning reflects something of the slight arbitrariness that existed in their previous locations. Placing also reflects the dispositions and character that so often exist in historic churchyard sites such as this.
The building began to take shape as soon as the foundation concrete was firm enough and very soon the outline of the new building became clearly visible.
The building began to take shape as soon as the foundation concrete was firm enough and very soon the outline of the new building became clearly visible.
The floor ‘slab’ is of reinforced concrete. Given the large volume of material required and the necessity for making the slab in a single coherent piece (without joins), the best approach was to pump the concrete some 60m direct from the delivery lorry into the site. This was a key operation and required the efforts of all those available.
The floor ‘slab’ is of reinforced concrete. Given the large volume of material required and the necessity for making the slab in a single coherent piece (without joins), the best approach was to pump the concrete some 60m direct from the delivery lorry into the site. This was a key operation and required the efforts of all those available.
The cavity walls include a layer of modern foam-based insulation. This fire retardant material is about three times more effective for a given thickness than glass fibre and contributes significantly to the energy efficiency of the finished building.
The cavity walls include a layer of modern foam-based insulation. This fire retardant material is about three times more effective for a given thickness than glass fibre and contributes significantly to the energy efficiency of the finished building.
By late February the full height of the building is approached and working platforms are needed. The building is set more than 1m into the embankment, clearly visible in the photograph.
By late February the full height of the building is approached and working platforms are needed. The building is set more than 1m into the embankment, clearly visible in the photograph.
The gabled ends are a combination of timber and blockwork; the cavity insulation rises to the full height of the building contributing to the ‘snug feel’ that visitors now notice.
The gabled ends are a combination of timber and blockwork; the cavity insulation rises to the full height of the building contributing to the ‘snug feel’ that visitors now notice.
Part of the roof requires structural steel; here the red-painted steel members are secured having been placed using a temporary hoist.
Part of the roof requires structural steel; here the red-painted steel members are secured having been placed using a temporary hoist.
The roof timbers in place showing the form of the main hall and the smaller kitchenette. This stage was reached near the end of April.
The roof timbers in place showing the form of the main hall and the smaller kitchenette. This stage was reached near the end of April.
The Cloisters adjoins a Grade 2* listed historic church and hence some fine details are part of the structure. Here details of the cut limestone corners adjoin the knapped flint facing.
The Cloisters adjoins a Grade 2* listed historic church and hence some fine details are part of the structure. Here details of the cut limestone corners adjoin the knapped flint facing.
The superb flint facings were being set; special lime putty is required for this and its drying/setting time is longer than needed for ordinary ‘Portland’ cement. This had an effect on how quickly the facings could be completed.
The superb flint facings were being set; special lime putty is required for this and its drying/setting time is longer than needed for ordinary ‘Portland’ cement. This had an effect on how quickly the facings could be completed.
Clay roof tiles above flint facing began to offer an impression of the completed building. The tiles were chosen specifically to be compatible with the ancient clay Kent peg tiles on St Mary’s roof.
Clay roof tiles above flint facing began to offer an impression of the completed building. The tiles were chosen specifically to be compatible with the ancient clay Kent peg tiles on St Mary’s roof.
The outline of the glazed link and completion of the flint facing gave a good impression of the structure and prompted by increasing local interest in the construction’s progress an open day was held.
The outline of the glazed link and completion of the flint facing gave a good impression of the structure and prompted by increasing local interest in the construction’s progress an open day was held.
Structural steel for the link is installed. These elements provide a rugged core to a structure that would be largely built of glass.
Structural steel for the link is installed. These elements provide a rugged core to a structure that would be largely built of glass.
A vital and key stage was reached during the summer when a breakthrough of the deep tower wall occurred. The structure of the wall turned out to be much more robust and resilient than first anticipated. The coursed flint core was rugged and much of it had to be drilled.
A vital and key stage was reached during the summer when a breakthrough of the deep tower wall occurred. The structure of the wall turned out to be much more robust and resilient than first anticipated. The coursed flint core was rugged and much of it had to be drilled.
Formwork on opening. The shape of the door was chosen to reflect the character of the building; here the frame is installed and some of the stonework edgings can be seen.
Formwork on opening. The shape of the door was chosen to reflect the character of the building; here the frame is installed and some of the stonework edgings can be seen.
Oak doors arrive; these were manufactured locally and are visually suited to the location, as well as being very durable, necessary for a building that will last centuries.
Oak doors arrive; these were manufactured locally and are visually suited to the location, as well as being very durable, necessary for a building that will last centuries.
General view of the Cloisters with kitchenette, link, and church south wall, and vestry. Visitors to the Cloisters invariably remark on the well-chosen materials and design that together allow the new building to complement the original church.
General view of the Cloisters with kitchenette, link, and church south wall, and vestry. Visitors to the Cloisters invariably remark on the well-chosen materials and design that together allow the new building to complement the original church.
The energy-efficient LED lighting provides a very uniform level of illumination to all areas of the building. Given the hard plastered wall surfaces and risk of unwelcome echoes, a decision was made to introduce acoustic panels to the ceilings. These have proved highly efficient and enable speakers to be heard clearly.
The energy-efficient LED lighting provides a very uniform level of illumination to all areas of the building. Given the hard plastered wall surfaces and risk of unwelcome echoes, a decision was made to introduce acoustic panels to the ceilings. These have proved highly efficient and enable speakers to be heard clearly.
The link into the main church has a stone flagged floor.
The link into the main church has a stone flagged floor.
Floor laying in the Cloisters. The floor is a wood effect durable composite material.
Floor laying in the Cloisters. The floor is a wood effect durable composite material.
Official opening 14 October with a choir opening the proceedings.
Official opening 14 October with a choir opening the proceedings.
Bishop James Langstaff escorted into the church by warden Rosemary Douglas. Bishop James gave a commemorative address.
Bishop James Langstaff escorted into the church by warden Rosemary Douglas. Bishop James gave a commemorative address.
Councillor Mark Rhodes Deputy Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling cuts the tape. From right to left: Rector Chris Noble, Bishop James Langstaff, Lay minister Paul Gardener, Bell Captain Keith Foxwell, Councillor Mark Rhodes.
Councillor Mark Rhodes Deputy Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling cuts the tape. From right to left: Rector Chris Noble, Bishop James Langstaff, Lay minister Paul Gardener, Bell Captain Keith Foxwell, Councillor Mark Rhodes.
Nick Allen from construction company Allen Construction prepares to seal the capsule into the chosen location.
Nick Allen from construction company Allen Construction prepares to seal the capsule into the chosen location.
Coffee in the Cloisters has proved a great success, the building is filled with laughter, chat and exchanges of local views among residents.
Coffee in the Cloisters has proved a great success, the building is filled with laughter, chat and exchanges of local views among residents.
The Cloisters after completion in 2015. The grass around the relocated headstones soon recovered and all signs of disturbance quickly disappeared.
The Cloisters after completion in 2015. The grass around the relocated headstones soon recovered and all signs of disturbance quickly disappeared.
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