PROJECT
FIRSTPORTADOWNPRESBYTERIANCHURCH
LEO MATHESON LTD FUTURE PROOFS 19TH CENTURY CHURCH FOR GENERATIONS OF WORSHIPPERS TO COME… A HOLY TRANSFORMATION
L eo Matheson Ltd carried out a major renovation job to the First Portadown Presbyterian Church along with constructing two glazed side extensions and a single storey extension to the rear of the church hall. The congregation were asked how best to utilise the existing church complex and what works could be undertaken to improve the facilities and to provide welcome facilities and an improved flow of people within the complex. Proposals were prepared and presented by the architects and approved by the congregation in 2016. The scheme provides a reworking of the
area with coffee making facilities and ramped access to the church, additional accessible toilet facilities a multi-purpose room and storage facilities. The strong frontage of the church onto Bridge Street remains the dominant feature and the new welcome area and side extensions form ‘light’ glazed structures either side of the church. From the onset, Leo Matheson, the Director knew the project would be complex and rewarding in equal measures. Fortunately the company has successfully completed a number of Ecclasstical projects in recent years, therefore Leo Matheson the Director and Aidan Brown the Project Manager were aware of what challenges might lie ahead.
Originally built in 1822, the elderly building was in a much worse state of repair than was thought. There was a serious damp and dry rot problem forcing a complete strip back to the walls and floor removal. Stronghold Preservations were called in to take on the damp challenge. “We basically had to gut the building and start from scratch,” said Aidan Brown, Project Manager. “The damp and dry rot was extensive. We had to replace many rotten timbers in the roof as well as reslating it. The front gable was lying out towards the road, which required tying in with specially made steel brackets chemically anchored to the wall. “We had to remove the windows. The stained glass was reconditioned and
existing space and a much needed welcome/gathering
“We basically had togut the building and start fromscratch.”
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