Alcester Church House

The Victorian façade of Church House conceals a Tudor dwelling spanning nearly 500 years of history. The Grade II listed building stands at the end of historic Butter Street, opposite St Nicholas Church and next to the old Rectory. To its side through a door lies a remnant of an ancient pathway to St Nicholas Church, now the passage to the modern Rectory beyond. The back of Church House is a redundant stable for the old Rectory and for many years has lain derelict. The entire building is now in dire need of refurbishment to meet 21st Century standards and to bring it fully into community as well as church use.

The Church House Development Committee, drawn from St Nicholas Alcester Parochial Church Council (PCC), and community representatives, is spearheading a project to address this neglect. It has consulted widely about the work that needs to be done and the role that the refurbished building could play in the town.

However cost is a major issue. The refurbishment will require around £300,000 to complete and this sum can only be raised by successfully applying for grants and receiving donations from generous members of the community.

St Nicholas PCC initiated the funding process and by July 2009, together with local fund raising, over £30,000 had already been raised with a further £22,000 pledged.

From as early as 1562 tenant deeds and census records show that the premises, once owned by the Greville family of Beauchamp Court, had been occupied as a dwelling house and a shop. Some houses in Butter Street date back to more than a century earlier.

In 1869 the property was purchased by the then Rector, who rebuilt the front to provide the Mission Room as we know it. This was sold to St Nicholas PCC in 1910, including the kitchen, outside toilets and the adjoining Vergers Lodge. At around that time the back section was converted into a coach house and new stables for the Rectory, leaving much of the original timber framework.

In 1969 the whole property was listed in this form, with the stables then still in use. The back section was eventually given to St Nicholas PCC in 1991, prior to the sale of the old Rectory, bringing the entire property into full ownership of St Nicholas PCC.

Latest News (Feb 2010)

The first phase of converting the old stables into modern toilets as progressing well and we hope to have the toilets ready during April. Visit the Events and Photos page to see the recent activity, including the archaeological investigation.

With a substantial and generous donation we are able to plan the next phase to follow on as soon as the first is completed.

However more funds will still be needed to complete the whole project without stopping.

Waitrose supermarket Tokens during December gave a boost of £252.

Alcester Church House
Restoring Alcester Heritage for Community Use St Nicholas Church serving the community of Alcester Announcing plans for a much-needed refurbishment of this important heritage property to provide modern facilities for St Nicholas Church, and a central meeting place for the community of historic Alcester. *£300,000 is needed to complete this project. Donation details click here Latest News Latest Pictures*
On this page: Development Committee Brief History What Church House can provide Latest News On other pages: Ground floor Upstairs New Scheme Key Dates This Week Events St Nicholas Alcester Minster On other sites: Alcester website	The Victorian façade of Church House conceals a Tudor dwelling spanning nearly 500 years of history. The Grade II listed building stands at the end of historic Butter Street, opposite St Nicholas Church and next to the old Rectory. To its side through a door lies a remnant of an ancient pathway to St Nicholas Church, now the passage to the modern Rectory beyond. The back of Church House is a redundant stable for the old Rectory and for many years has lain derelict. The entire building is now in dire need of refurbishment to meet 21st Century standards and to bring it fully into community as well as church use. Church House as it is (click on a part of the layout below) - Ground floor : Upstairs : new scheme Be patient while these illustrated pages load The Church House Development Committee, drawn from St Nicholas Alcester Parochial Church Council (PCC), and community representatives, is spearheading a project to address this neglect. It has consulted widely about the work that needs to be done and the role that the refurbished building could play in the town. However cost is a major issue. The refurbishment will require around £300,000 to complete and this sum can only be raised by successfully applying for grants and receiving donations from generous members of the community. St Nicholas PCC initiated the funding process and by July 2009, together with local fund raising, over £30,000 had already been raised with a further £22,000 pledged. From as early as 1562 tenant deeds and census records show that the premises, once owned by the Greville family of Beauchamp Court, had been occupied as a dwelling house and a shop. Some houses in Butter Street date back to more than a century earlier. In 1869 the property was purchased by the then Rector, who rebuilt the front to provide the Mission Room as we know it. This was sold to St Nicholas PCC in 1910, including the kitchen, outside toilets and the adjoining Vergers Lodge. At around that time the back section was converted into a coach house and new stables for the Rectory, leaving much of the original timber framework. In 1969 the whole property was listed in this form, with the stables then still in use. The back section was eventually given to St Nicholas PCC in 1991, prior to the sale of the old Rectory, bringing the entire property into full ownership of St Nicholas PCC. What Church House could provide for the Alcester community: Drop-in centre in the middle of the town Grade 2 former Tudor dwelling providing a heritage focus for the public Heritage educational field centre for local schools visiting the town Meeting hall for local groups, voluntary and business Central help point for social needs Facilities for events in the Church Latest News (Feb 2010) The first phase of converting the old stables into modern toilets as progressing well and we hope to have the toilets ready during April. Visit the Events and Photos page to see the recent activity, including the archaeological investigation. *With a substantial and generous donation we are able to plan the next phase to follow on as soon as the first is completed.* *However more funds will still be needed to complete the whole project without stopping.* *Waitrose supermarket Tokens during December gave a boost of £252.* Donations to: St Nicholas PCC Treasurer, 28 Rope Walk, Alcester, B49 5DD Or to The Rector, Revd David Capron, St Nicholas Rectory, Alcester, B49 5DB Cheques and Standing Orders made out to Church House Development Committee Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20-71-45, Account number 73447820
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