The Old Mission Church

Church Window Refurbishment & Steel Screens

Hawkscroft was contracted to refurbish and secondary glaze a selection of leaded light windows, and manufacture a bespoke W20 steel screen, as part of a project to convert the historic Mission Church in the Cotswold village of Paxford near Chipping Campden into a luxury holiday rental.

Summary of work conducted
James Mackintosh Architects led the conversion of the church which is situated in the heart of the village. Their approach was to repair and reuse the original building fabric while adopting a minimal approach to modern interventions to conserve the historic architecture and character of this valued community building. Hawkscroft was contracted as a traditional window specialist to undertake the refurbishment of the church’s clear glass leaded light windows and manufacture a prominently positioned glazed screen along with custom designed secondary glazing to all the historic church windows.

Design and manufacture of a bespoke steel screen
To maximise existing spaces within the building, the classroom at the west end of the church was converted into a bedroom and bathroom with minimal alteration, allowing the fireplace and existing sliding doors to be restored. A reversible contemporary pod was installed to provide a mezzanine master bedroom and ensuite. The architect specified a full height glazed screen for the pod, adding to the floating effect and introducing maximum light within the space. The glass screen wall needed to fit the shape of the pod, following the lines of the timber trusses in the church’s nave. Hawkscroft produced a working template and manufactured a large 4.5m x 3m W20 steel screen with an arrowhead profile, and acoustic double glazing, to meet the specific sound requirements of the project.

Design and manufacture of secondary glazing for stained glass windows
The renovation of The Old Mission Church faced significant challenges regarding energy efficiency. Although the stained glass window by Holland and Holt of Warwick, which was added to the east window in 1870, had been cleaned and restored as part of the project, a solution needed to be found to prevent significant heat loss. Hawkscroft designed and manufactured slimline metal framed secondary glazing units to improve the thermal performance while preserving the historic integrity of the window. The unit was fixed to the inside of the stonework, enabling the secondary glazing units to be opened for ventilation, whilst dramatically reducing energy loss.

Refurbishment of leaded light windows
Eighteen of the original leaded light windows were carefully removed and brought back to the Hawkscroft workshops for offsite refurbished. Each of the windows were deglazed, and the metal frames blast-cleaned before the application of a rust inhibiting zinc undercoat and applying a powder coat finish. The leaded lights were rebuilt and attached to the refurbished metal frames using glass salvaged from the original windows where possible. Bespoke Hawkscroft Heritage Double Glazing was manufactured and installed on-site for each individual window to improve thermal performance whilst taking care to retain the integrity of the original windows. Hawkscroft restored all the window’s original ironmongery and changes were made where necessary, to adapt the catches at the client’s request. The ‘night latch’ setting of the secondary glazing would enable the windows to be left slightly ajar to improve ventilation within the building, whilst maintaining weather protection and the security of the building.

Results

Hawkscroft are proud to have been involved in this local project. The historic windows have been sensitively restored and upgraded with double glazing in line with the adaptive reuse of this ecclesiastical-style building as a domestic environment. Industry professionals have admired the striking and unusual W20 steel screen which has resulted in other commissions of a similar kind. The renovation of Mission Church has breathed new life into this cherished community building. The luxury holiday accommodation has not only received outstanding reviews from its guests but also enjoys the accolade of being featured on George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations on Channel Four.