The Parish of Central Windsor (Charity No. 1212673) is launching a project to develop the building and grounds of
Windsor Parish Church of St John the Baptist in the High Street.
Social, cultural and spiritual contributions of the Parish Church include:
• town centre ministry to many thousands of visitors to this tourist town
• well-established civic and community roles for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
• a much-needed and growing event space role to many schools and other community groups
as well as its role to the church congregation and for weddings, funerals and memorial services.
The value of the church’s large size, central location and rich history is widely recognised, but stonework is crumbling
and facilities are not fit for its 21st century purposes. Responses to a community questionnaire (December 2024) listed
major weaknesses as: lack of parking; poor accessibility and unsafe steps and paths; insufficient toilet facilities; poor
maintenance and drab décor; poor lighting; insufficient space for full choir and orchestra to perform together;
inadequate socialising space and refreshments facilities.
NEXT200 vision is for the building and churchyard to be a Christian beacon, where visitors both find peace and engage
with heritage, and schools and community groups including choirs and orchestras benefit from a large, central event
space that is bright, warm, accessible, safe and serene.
Essential elements include:
- Stonework, roof and other repairs
- Increased usable gallery seating and entrance/exit capacity
- More and upgraded toilet facilities
- Comprehensive accessibility and safety improvements
- Parking improvements, especially for disabled parking and equipment unloading
- Flexible space to suit combined choral and orchestral performances
- Comprehensive new lighting scheme, inside and out
- Complete redecoration
- Greater flexible space for socialising and refreshments
Current consultations with the Diocese of Oxford and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead will shortly lead
to architectural submissions, and a major fundraising campaign will then be launched.