The idea
We plan to continue restoring Holy Trinity Church Bow, now renamed The Heritage & Arts Centre (The HAC Bow), to provide improved access to an affordable, multi-purpose community space and garden from which a cross range of arts, music and heritage learning programmes, exhibitions and events can be offered.
Holy Trinity Church is a Grade 2 listed building and with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund we have been able to repair the roof ensuring that the building is watertight and internally free from further water damage.
This fund will be used to restore the door surround ie repairs & shelter coating to colonnettes; replace the steps to the West entrance; remove vegetation growing adjacent to the Church; purchase portable wheelchair ramp with handrails and organise weekly site tours for local schools, universities, community and business associations.
The overall aim of our project is to restore the front West elevation of this stunning building.
What we'll deliver
- restore the door surround ie repairs & shelter coating to colonnettes
- Replace the steps to the West entrance
- Remove vegetation growing adjacent to the Church
- Purchase and make available a portable wheelchair ramp with handrails
- Organise weekly site tours for local for local communities to our Restoration Project Exhibition.
Why it's a great idea
We know that local communities who attended our 3 Open days love the space and stated that it: “Exceeded their expectations”. Cecelia says, “It’s a fabulous space, would be great to see it being put into good use.” Mike says, “The graveyard could provide a valuable space for reflection with a quiet corridor for wildlife.”
Plus The HAC Bow as a heritage site is an opportunity for local residents to engage in local history, to access arts exhibitions featuring local and national artists, music festivals, health and wellbeing workshops as well as use an affordable space for family gatherings. To date high calibre Artists such as Tom Grennan and Mac Collins have used the hall creatively.
Restoring the space to use is important to Tower Hamlets architectural heritage; there’s no other church like this one in the borough. Our aim is to encourage primary and secondary pupils to consider architecture and heritage as must do career paths.
Steps to get it done
- Agree restoration strategy and plans with the Architect and partners
- Agree budget and time phase with the contractor
- Begin the restoration work
- Organise weekly site visits for residents and schools to keep them informed about progress
- Complete the West elevation restoration work
- Organise Open Days to launch the completed work
Holy Trinity Church is a Grade 2 listed building and with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund we have replaced the roof ensuring that the building is watertight and internally free from further water damage. The space is now safe to use and to date there has been a wedding reception, film shoots, art exhibitions and Open days.
The overall aim is to restore The HAC space to use, ensuring its survival by partnering with local orchestras, artists, musicians, Faith groups, speakers who would hire the space for regular exhibitions, events, installations, heritage based workshops and presentations. Additionally we are making the space available at an affordable and sustainable rate to community groups for weddings, parties etc.
The disabled access ramp we plan to buy can be used by Mobility Scooter and Electric Wheelchair users. It is made from weather-resistant aluminium making it lightweight, strong and easy to store. The Ramp itself has a wide, non-slip surface.
