RAYLEIGH BAPTIST CHURCH

BGA Architects are proud to have been involved in the Rayleigh Baptist Church project on the High Street in Rayleigh, Essex - a building of Grade II listed status at the heart of the local community.

The works included the construction of a two-storey side extension, a lift shaft and internal alterations to improve accessibility, the addition of a mezzanine within the main hall, and the partial demolition of an existing storage building. All design changes carefully respected the character and heritage of the original 19th-century building while providing modern, flexible space for community use.

Due to the listed status of the church, we secured planning permission, Building Regulations approval, and worked closely with the Local Listed Buildings Advisory Committee (LBAC) to ensure all alterations were suitable and sympathetic to the historic fabric. BGA also carried out the contract administration throughout construction.

Unfortunately, items outside of our control led to a longer construction programme than initially anticipated. Nevertheless, the completed building now combines restored historic features with improved accessibility, flexible spaces and enhanced functionality - forming the basis of The Hive, a community hub used for events, meetings and activities by local groups.

This project reflects our experience in navigating sensitive listed building constraints while delivering practical, inclusive and future-focused design solutions for community buildings.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank the late Kevin Brown, who we worked closely with throughout the project. His dedication and commitment to the scheme played an important role in bringing it to fruition.