St Mary's wins DAC Design Award

Graham Cottam, who headed the project team, and Steve Hasler, former head of the Property Committee and churchwarden, accepted the award from the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev’d Stephen Cottrell, on behalf of the Parochial Church Council, at a lunch in Chelmsford on 13th June 2019.

The project received the highest award of Highly Commended. The judges commented on a well-presented submission and a very attractive way of using good quality materials, craftsmanship and detailed woodwork, all beautifully coordinated. The crenellations and flower head design were a great addition; the scheme meets the challenges of the building.

Graham Cottam said, “The successful completion of the Welcome Project was the culmination of nearly 10 years of careful planning and design to create new facilities which allow St Mary’s Church to offer a warm welcome and generous hospitality to all. We are delighted that the quality of the new facilities, which have been very well received by the congregation and visitors alike, has been recognized by the Diocese”

The DAC administers the Design Awards Scheme, which recognises excellence in design and craftsmanship, and to encourage the commissioning of individual designs rather than resorting to standard catalogue items. In the award letter, DAC commented that this was a very attractive way of using good quality materials, craftsmanship and detailed woodwork.

Click here to see which churches received the DAC Highly Commended Design Awards in 2019.

Click here to visit the Diocesan Advisory Committee website

Some photos of the newly completed work. Thanks to photographer Michael Cameron - MichaelCameronphotography.co.uk