Restoration plans unveiled for fire-ravaged All Saints Church in Mudeford

A FIRE-ravaged church is planned to be restored to how it was when it was built in 1869.

All Saints in Mudeford was almost destroyed when flames ripped through the building in July 2022 after what is believed to have been an electrical fault.

Since the blaze, church members have been working closely with architects, Acanthus Clews of Banbury, on its rebuild.

Although the foundations and walls appeared in good condition, exposure to the elements had led to deterioration during the winter of 2022/23.

There was also a problem with the facing wall of the church which was bowing outwards. Buttresses had been placed against the wall to stabilise it and no further movement has been detected.

Historic England was consulted about whether the bowing wall should be demolished but their view was that unless it was unstable and likely to collapse it should be repaired, not replaced.

It was decided, however, that disabled access to the church should be installed during the rebuilding of it. A new disabled entrance will be created at the west end of the building and there will be a lift installed to the first floor.

Planning permission was sought in March for the plans to rebuild the church and an outcome is due in the next month or so.

If the plans are approved, there will be an appeal to raise money for parts of the rebuild not covered by the insurer.

Although the church is unusable, warden Tony Eden said church life had continued “as we have been able to maintain a full programme of activities”.

In January the church was “blessed” with the arrival of new vicar, the Rev. Kathy Hicken who is also vicar of St Luke’s Church in Burton.

The All Saints congregation currently meets at eight sites around Mudeford and Somerford, with most services held at Stanpit Village Hall or at St Luke’s.