St John the Baptist church, Hawkchurch

St John the Baptist Church is at the heart of the village of Hawkchurch and, geographically, is at its centre. The Church is significant visually as it is the focal point in the village and forms an imposing face to those walking up or down the street towards it. The 16thC tower is dominant to its surroundings and can be seen from most places within the village and, due to its height, it is not only visible itself for many miles to the north and west across the River Axe, but access to the roof allows extensive views well into Devon and Somerset.

The PCC now wish to install servery, disabled WC and improve access for all. The need for these facilities has been identified as a result of regular use of the church for Sunday worship and the limitations of alternative uses to which the building lends itself. Currently users have to bring refreshments for events and have to take away crockery, glasses etc. to wash in their own homes. The PCC believe that there is a need to extend the hospitality aspect of the church’s work so as to ensure a thriving and supportive membership. This will also encourage the wider community to use the facilities and open the church to the more secular members of the parish. The PCC wish to make the building more functional for other community events and the building needs to be capable of providing basic facilities found in other community buildings. There is a need to make the building accessible to all. The population in general is getting older. The need for easy access has become greater; there is a need to remove steps and obstacles, necessary to make this building easily accessible to everyone, young and old, able and disabled.