Medieval church alters image

A medieval church is using modern design to push itself “into the marketplace” after years of neglect and underfunding.

All Saints church in Hereford will reopen at the beginning of June with a contemporary café created by local architect Rod Robinson Associates alongside more traditional areas for prayer.

Grants from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the sale of the church’s chained library to the nearby Hereford Cathedral Museum, helped fund the refurbishment work. The architect got involved in the project through refurbishment work at the building.

The church will still be used to conduct services and will admit visitors. The café is intended to help the church to “earn its keep” and is being set up by Bill Sewell, founder of The Place Below at St Mary-le-Bow church in the City of London.

The body of the church is famous for its twisted spire and features a fifteenth century roof.