Issue 47 JUNE - Flipbook - Page 40
Historic dockyard church
brought back to life following
major transformation
Sheerness Dockyard Church has been resurrected as a new community hub for local people on the
Isle of Sheppey.
The £9.5m project has been completed by the Sheerness
Dockyard Preservation Trust, funded by a £5.2m grant
from The National Lottery Heritage Fund with matchfunding from Historic England and numerous supporters.
a new civic purpose with an exhibition area, café, events
space and a business incubator hub for local young
people to help establish financial independence through
entrepreneurship.
The Dockyard Church occupies a pivotal position at the
entrance to the Dockyard and is clearly seen from the
High Street of Sheerness. Placed outside the Dockyard
wall, it is nevertheless immensely significant to the
ensemble of John Rennie’s 18th century masterplan and
particularly within the context of the remaining Historic
Core also comprising the surviving Naval and Officers’
Terraces, Superintendent’s House and Dockyard Gates.
Designed by Hugh Broughton Architects in collaboration
with conservation specialists Martin Ashley Architects,
the renovation was supported by a National Lottery
Heritage Fund Heritage Enterprise grant. It includes
extensive repairs to the brick and stone exterior and the
complete reconstruction of the clocktower. The new roof,
supported by trusses of steel and timber flitch beams,
matches the original profile from the early 19th Century
designs by architect George Ledwell Taylor. Rendered
parapets from these designs have also been reintroduced,
and new windows and doors and decorative iron railings
complete the faithful restoration of the church’s exterior.
Inside there are further examples of original features being
conserved or reproduced, including a fully rebuilt
Gutted by fire in 2001, the Grade II* listed building has
now been upgraded with a new roof and interior spaces,
with key elements preserved so that visitors can explore
the heritage of the church and learn about its role as part
of the former Royal Dockyard. The building will take on
