Developing our Parish Heritage

All Saints Church is the oldest building in Hartley, probably on the site of a former wooden Saxon church. For more than 900 years it has been used for regular public worship and has been a focal point in the lives of Hartley people. It is open daily to those who wish to come to pray or just to find peace.
In the course of time a small vestry and a porch were added, the west wall was rebuilt and the interior has been re-ordered.
Now, after dramatic expansion of the village, the time has come to develop the church and enhance its viability for use by present and future generations.
The fabric is in very good condition. Architectural inspections are carried out every five years and followed by relevant repair work, the cost being met by wise use of regular church income and special fund-raising activities.

BUT - the church lacks some basic modern amenities.

What is needed now?

• level access from the road
• toilet facilities
• a refreshment servery
• a circulating area
• space for additional seating
• a community meeting room

These needs can only be met if the church is enlarged.

With these considerations in mind, and spurred on by the Disability Discrimination Act, the Parochial Church Council [PCC] set about responding to these needs. Consideration of various options, selection of one of them, and development of detailed plans took nearly four years. The cost of professional fees was met from a bequest.
Early in the procedure our architects advised us to establish our priorities, to develop a realistic vision of needs for the future, and then to “fund the vision”.