Developments @ St John’s

As the parish church of Old Moulsham, St John’s is a welcoming, inclusive church centrally positioned on Moulsham Street, with its many shops and museum. But there’s no real centre, so we’d like St John’s to be both somewhere to worship God and a hub for the community.

We began with our child-friendly community café – JubiLatte – and now developments in the churchyard are progressing well, although it’s not easy to see with all the heras fencing around at the moment.

We’d love to hear what you think so far so please help us by completing our short survey:

St John’s Church Moulsham St. Chelmsford. Phase 2 ‘Events and Progress’ Evaluation (office.com)

This is where we’ve reached in January 2025

Already gone is the dilapidated old boiler house and blocked or broken drains :

Muddy paths are disappearing and new ones emerging:

An old window on the north side has been replaced by a new door:

What else has been going on ?

An old wall has been restored in preparation for the new community mosaic that will be the focal point of the quiet garden for reflection.

377 adults and children have been involved in its design and creation, and the artist, Peter Harrington, is completing it. We are hoping it will arrive in spring 2025

Also our community vegetable beds have been built.

What else is coming?

There’ll be various benches around the churchyard to reflect quietly, to get close to nature, to chat or simply to rest. Made entirely from recycled plastic, each are dedicated to groups of people for whom we pray.

There’ll be a story telling area, a wildflower meadow and a heritage path with information posts to learn more about local history as well as the flora and fauna inhabiting the churchyard.

We are grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the City Council, the Benefact Trust, the FSJ Trust, Essex Heritage Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation without whose help none of this would be happening.

The FSJ Trust

Don’t forget, we’d love to hear what you think so far so please help us by completing our short survey: St John’s Church Moulsham St. Chelmsford. Phase 2 ‘Events and Progress’ Evaluation (office.com)