ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

PENSHURST

Penshurst Church is open throughout the week for quiet prayer, for visitors to the village and to Penshurst Place, many of whom follow the footpath through the churchyard, and for concerts, exhibitions and community events. The parish wished to improve its facilitities not only for Sunday worship, but for all these other activities.

At the main entrance, level access has been formed into the church and a new welcome area provides information, especially when the church is not stewarded. Storage throughout the church allows the church to keep music, choir robes, extra chairs etc out of sight leaving the vestry as a working space.

A small extention to the north of the tower houses WC’s, cleaners’ and flower arrangers’ facilities. It is reached from the end of the north aisle through a screen that encloses a kitchenette which is opened up when needed and used in conjunction with a servery unit.

New heating and lighting was also provided throughout the church which was also redecorated as part of the works.