Arts at St Mary's Church

The Arts at St Mary’s Church project is an exciting scheme to both refurbish one of the town’s best loved historic landmarks and increase Ashford’s arts provision.

For many years, St Mary the Virgin C of E Church (mentioned in the Doomsday book) has functioned as both a place of worship and a community arts venue, hosting performances each year from local and international artists.

The Church of England has applied to carry out substantial refurbishment work to the building’s ancient fabric, and also wishes to sympathetically expand its use as an arts venue to accommodate larger audiences and high-profile acts.

Taking inspiration from Union Chapel in Islington and St George’s Church in Brighton, plans include creating a more flexible performance space in the body of the nave for sermons, drama, concerts, exhibitions and wider community use.

There will also be improvements to the lighting, toilets and heating, using sustainable and green techniques, more comfortable seating and improved disabled access.

Faculty approval for the plans were approved by the Church of England's commissary general in June 2010, and work is expected to be completed summer 2011.

As part of Ashford’s Future’s commitment to nurturing the town’s existing arts community, the project has been given £1.2m of Growth Area Funding by the Ashford’s Future Board. It is also supported by Ashford Borough Council.

Ashford's Future managing director Judith Armitt said: “Enhancing Ashford’s cultural provision and preserving the town’s heritage are of vital importance to Ashford’s ambitious growth plans.

“Ashford town needs a good quality venue and vibrant arts offer, and the St. Mary’s project enables us to provide both of these. The church already has an excellent arts programme, and we are delighted that this funding will help it expand while preserving the fabric of the church at the same time.

“I hope the work we do here will pave the way for even bigger projects in the future.”

The St Mary’s project is promoted & supported by the Parochial Church Council, The Bishop of Dover, church wardens, Town Centre Partnership and statutory agencies such as the DAC, English Heritage, Arts Council England, and Historic Churches Trust.