Skipton Baptist Church Extension

Skipton Baptist Church appointed Bowman Riley to deliver the post-planning stages of the renovation and refurbishment of a historic building within the central Skipton conservation area adjacent to the church building.

Built in 1888 as four cottages, the buildings were briefly converted into a doctor’s surgery in 1920 before the heritage asset fell into disuse. In 2015 Skipton Baptist Church purchased the building due to its proximity to the church’s existing site for conversion into a community space for anyone to enjoy and experience a welcoming environment.

Our brief was to create a mix of community-focused facilities on the ground floor and self-contained offices on the first and second floors. This allows the relocation of some functions from the adjoining church.

The first phase is now completed and comprised the ground-floor modifications involving a new side entrance, rear patio area, additional patio doors and roof lights to the rear extension. Internally, we created a new entrance and reception area, a kitchen and serving area, a seating area and lounge; meeting rooms, a prayer room, a crèche, a new lift and stairs; new and extended toilet facilities; and a food bank store.

The first phase of the project has been well received by the church and the wider community, provided much-needed community space in the heart of Skipton and brought a heritage building back into use. A further phase will consist of first and second-floor modifications.

“Just to say a huge thank you… for all your work on this project. I am extremely grateful that both of you have guided us through the design and then the build in such a professional manner and with good humour, making this one of the most stress-free building projects that I’ve worked on in 20 years in the job. As the Clients representative, I have enjoyed this project and it has been a rare pleasure to have had such a cohesive team throughout.”

Martyn Leigh, Building Project Manager, Skipton Baptist Church