Opening Doors, Opening Hearts

- Creating a Sacred Space Where Everyone Belongs -

 

 

At Hornsey Parish Church, we believe everyone deserves a place

... to pause

... to breathe

... to belong.

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Our Open Door 60/60 Project is about more than ramps and renovations. It's about realising our vision of a church where all are truly welcome - a sacred sanctuary for prayer, reflection, and community, open to all, without barriers.

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We are delighted to announce our long-awaited building works will begin on Monday 28 July 2025, for a period of about ten weeks - with an anticipated completion date of 19 September.

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Sunday and Wednesday services will continue as normal, but we regret that the Church will be closed at other times during the works for Health & Safety reasons.

 

Please also note that access routes into the church during this period is anticipated to be as follows, but may also be adjusted as the work progresses. We will be monitoring the situation closely and will share updates here, as well as through weekly notices and emails.

 

Current access routes are as follows:

28 July - 10 August: Please enter via the main door or kitchen side entrance

11 August - 21 September: Please enter via the kitchen side entrance or west door (through the west garden gate)

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​What is the purpose of Open Door 60/60?

As a Contemplative Church in Action, we believe in creating a space of peace, beauty and belonging -- not just for Sundays, but for every day of the week. This is not just a building project. It's a living sign of Christ's welcome in action. It's a tangible way we live out our calling to LOVE GOD, LOVE NEIGHBOUR, AND LOVE CREATION.

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Our church building, therefore, is a vital part of our mission, embodying our values of hospitality and inclusivity. ​​We are committed to making our church a welcoming and accessible space for everyone while nurturing God's creation. And we want to maximise use of our facilities for the benefit of all our neighbours, to help improve wellbeing, belonging and inclusion. Consultations with the local community also revealed the need for a hub in the community that offers more opportunities for people to come together, especially for the elderly, those experiencing social isolation or living with dementia.

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​However, our church does not currently meet the accessibility standards that are needed to offer this – as highlighted in an Access Report we commissioned with the Centre for Accessible Environments. Removing barriers to accessibility is a vital step towards providing a calm, tranquil space and outdoor haven for our aging population and their support groups. By removing physical barriers, we open spiritual ones. As opening the way for all to enter is part of opening our hearts to all.

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​​What is the objective of Open Door 60/60?

The aim of this project is to make our church and garden more accessible, and turning the garden into a tranquil sanctuary where everyone can come to find peace and feel more renewed in spirit.​

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There are two phases to this project, which will put in place four of the ten recommendations from our Access Audit. Planning permission is already in place. Phase 1 involves building work that will provide easier access to our building and garden for people with a range of disabilities, but especially our elderly neighbours with mobility issues, who are currently unable to access our building and garden unaided.​ See here for more details about what is going to be done.

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What's changing?

Thanks to our architect, the Diocese of London, and your generosity, the building of Phase 1 of this project is about to start. Here's what's coming:

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Front Entrance:

A fully accessible and more inviting, welcoming approach and new entrance featuring:

• A new step-free pedestrian gateway with a gentle, wheelchair-accessible slope from the pavement to the church entrance, and enhanced by new signage, bike racks and flowerbeds

• Automatic inner glass doors — easing access and keeping the church warm

• Improved external lighting for safety and visibility

• Hardstanding surfaces replaced with permeable materials to improve drainage

 

Inside the Church:

• Adapted pews with space for wheelchair users and carers

• A new doorway connecting the church directly to the garden

• Handrails to assist those who need help up the steps into the Lady Chapel

 

Church Garden:

The garden to be transformed into an accessible, tranquil green space with:

• New paving to improve accessibility for people with mobility issues

• An extended memorial garden including new seating area and a dedicated memorial*

• New planting areas

 

* The memorial area will be carefully fenced off during the building works to ensure it remains undisturbed. We are taking every care to honour the space and protect the ashes already interred, and all work will be carried out with reverence and close oversight. We will be holding a special service to bless the new memorial area when the time comes.

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These changes will open up our church and garden to many who currently can’t enter easily — including older neighbours, people with wheelchair, buggies, and walking aids. And those who just need a peaceful place to rest. Whether they enter daily or once in a lifetime.​

 

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​​​​​What does 60/60 mean?

The title of HPC 60/60 was launched in 2019 to celebrate the church building’s 60th anniversary. As we move forward with our HPC 60/60 vision, we aim to enhance our space to better serve and connect with the Hornsey community for another 60 years and beyond. We ​look forward to being the parish church at the heart of the community of Hornsey for at least another 60.​

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How can you be part of this?

Here's how you can support this transformation.

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PRAY WITH US - for the builders, our community and all who will come

DONATE - every contribution helps us to repay our loan for this project

COME ALONG - join our events and services during this exciting time

VOLUNTEER - offer your time or skills for a community event

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We are currently working hard towards raising the required funds to repay our loan for this project. You can help by:

• supporting our fund-raising events over the coming year - see timetable here

• organising a fund-raising event for us

• donating towards this project to help us help those in need - you can donate here

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Having looked at the plans and ideas behind Open Door there might be a particular aspect you feel you would want to help pay for specifically. This could be in memory of someone special, or on your own behalf, and could be a celebrated contribution or an anonymous one.

 

You can donate via BACs to the following account:

 

ACCOUNT NAME: PCC OF ST MARY WITH ST GEORGE HORNSEY PARISH
SORT CODE: 40-11-58
ACCOUNT NO: 30446025
BANK: HSBC
REFERENCE: OPEN DOOR

 

We also have a card reader in church, and are happy to accept cheques and cash of course. We will be very happy to discuss with you about making a donation if this is helpful.

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Who should I contact for more information?

​​If you’d like to receive more information and updates about the HPC 60|60 Open Door project, please contact Fr Bruce Julian Batstone, email: hpc6060@hornseyparishchurch.org

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