15 Dec 2023
Work is continuing apace to replace the floor at St Peter’s Church in St Albans city centre.
The church closed on July 31 for the start of a major building project to remove the impermeable concrete floor which has been damaging the main structural pillars.
Plans call for a new permeable York stone floor to be laid and underfloor heating installed.
While the concrete floor was being removed an archaeologist was regularly on site, but in addition to the known burial vaults the only items found were a glass bottle from local St Albans brewery Bingham Cox & Co and two Victorian R White lemonade bottles.
With the old floor removed the underfloor heating system has been installed on top of the recycled blown glass insulation layer, then a limecrete sub base in preparation for the stone floor which will be laid starting early next year.
Vicar Rev Mark Dearnley said: “This is an exciting time and great that the contract is running on schedule. It is amazing to see the change taking place and we are excited about moving back into a building that will meet our needs better and be a much more useful space for community events.”
Whilst the church is closed joint services are being held at Marlborough Road Methodist Church and many of St Peter’s popular Christmas services will take place at Marlborough Road this year. Events that usually take place in the Octagon church hall are continuing during the building work and the church office remains open.
Further information is available on the website Building Project | St Peter’s (stpeterschurch.uk.com)
Meanwhile, St Peter’s is holding a community carol singing event on Wednesday December 20 at 5pm in the churchyard at the front. This is open to anyone to attend and seasonal refreshments will be served afterwards.
