“…..a great example of how, with creative thought and strong partnerships, a much loved historic building can be reinvigorated and turned into something that serves the needs of those who live around it.” Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF.

Paley & Austin’s Grade II* listed structure is an immense 800 congregation church which has the largest single span nave of any parish church in England. Having lain vacant for a number of years, OMI’s dramatic conversion has seen All Souls re-born as a community building, run and managed by a local community group. The project has attracted a host of awards including the RICS North West ‘Project of the Year’ Winner in 2015.

To provide the necessary subdivision of the vast single volume, two contemporary structures are placed either side of the central aisle, providing a range of cellular spaces for community businesses, local groups and conferences.

The new structures stand free of the walls of the church, supporting an open system of walkways and galleries that thread their way around the void, allowing visitors to appreciate the architecture of the existing building from a new perspective. Café and exhibition facilities sit beneath the new structures, allowing visitors to learn about the church and its place within the local community.

Major historic repair works were carried out to the church, including the replacement of the Westmoreland slate roofs, brickwork and stone repair and replacement of most of the leaded glass windows to the nave. The project provided training in restoration techniques for members of the community who attended courses and lectures throughout the build programme.