Emmanuel URC - Case Study

Project:

Window Replacement Project

Location:

Swindon

In Brief:

For many across the UK, a church is not simply a place of worship; it serves as the heart of the community – a space for people to gather and organise, working together to deliver lasting, positive change in the local area.

This was certainly true for church members at Emmanuel URC when they set out to start a window replacement project back in September 2018. Over a seven-year period, Easton Bevins worked closely with the church in an advisory capacity, helping to ensure the community was left with a building fit for purpose and capable of serving both its congregation and the wider local community long into the future.

Delivering the project through changing circumstances

As with many long-term refurbishment projects, the programme evolved over time and required close coordination between multiple stakeholders, contractors and funding bodies.

Following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and wider increases in construction costs, Longcroft Building Services took on the works under a revised contract in 2023. The project also involved coordination across several glazing specialists before New Age Windows were appointed to deliver the bespoke window installations.

Throughout the programme, we continued to advise and support the church, helping to navigate funding applications, contractor coordination and programme adjustments as the project progressed. When one external grant funding contribution was lost due to time limitations, the contract was successfully restructured into phases, prioritising the west windows first due to their condition.

Restoring a community landmark

Initially constructed in 1849, the chapel had been extended in 1985 – as part of these ‘making good’ works, contractors had installed single-glazed windows set in soft wood frames on the west and north facing sides of the building. However, after over thirty years of natural wear and tear, the building was in need of some TLC.

The proposed works included replacing the existing timber frames with black aluminium systems, as well as installing double-glazed units throughout, increasing the size of each pane to simplify the structure, and cladding the fascia and soffits in aluminium.

Having raised £5,000, the church appointed Easton Bevins Chartered Building Surveyors to undertake a feasibility study in late 2019. From the church’s initial brief, we developed design drawings and structural models, which were subsequently used to support planning and tender documentation.

Following contractor responses and a review of contract management costs, it became clear that approximately £60,000 would be required to complete the project. Funding was subsequently secured between 2020 and 2022 through contributions from church members, Highworth URC, SYNOD building and ECO grants, alongside support from four external grant-funding organisations.

The result?

The west windows were completed in June 2024, with the north windows following in January 2025, both delivered within budget.

As part of the wider programme, the gutters were also replaced and the fascia and soffits to the front of the church clad in aluminium, with all associated works completed in June 2025.

Our consultancy services and expertise cover for project management. To discuss your project, contact us on 0117 942 8776 or email info@eastonbevins.co.uk

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