Wellspring Church

Contemporary Church Extension and Community Hub

AJA was appointed to design a contemporary annex to the existing Victorian Methodist Church, creating a flexible community space that supports the needs of the congregation and the wider Wirksworth community.

The Aim

Wellspring Church approached AJA to transform an underused car park beside the existing church into a welcoming, multi-functional space for community use.

The aim was to provide additional meeting areas, improve accessibility and create facilities that would allow the church to expand its role as a hub for local groups, events and activities.

The Design

The new extension is connected to the historic church through a contemporary glazed link, creating a clear distinction between the original Victorian building and the new addition.

The design takes cues from the traditional form of the existing church while introducing contemporary materials and detailing. To ensure the extension remains respectful of the historic building, the ridge and eaves levels are kept lower, allowing the original church to remain the dominant feature.

The new community facility includes an accessible café, lift access and flexible meeting rooms for local groups and organisations. The works also included refurbishment of the existing church, with the new glazed entrance and stair enclosure improving accessibility throughout both buildings.

A Thriving Community Space

Since completion, Wellspring Church has seen a significant increase in use, with congregation numbers tripling and more of the wider Wirksworth community benefiting from the new facilities.

The completed project has transformed an underused part of the site into a vibrant community hub, providing flexible spaces for meetings, events and gatherings.

A Positive Community Reaction 

"“Wow” is the comment we frequently hear when people walk into our re-styled and enlarged church for the first time. They are amazed at how much additional space we have gained by building on our tiny backyard.

Allan Joyce Architects have engaged with us thoroughly at every point: not just in producing the creative design but before that at the public consultation and afterwards during the technical design, construction stage and post-completion follow-up. Since site meetings had to take place online during the Covid pandemic, Allan Joyce Architects were the essential link between the church and the builders as the work was progressing."

Wellspring Church