Photo: The new door offers a bright and inviting view to the inside of the church.
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Yalding, offers an encouraging example of how thoughtful attention to church buildings can support mission and welcome.
The recent completion of its Welcome Project, marks an important step in enabling the parish to be a more inclusive and accessible place of worship, while continuing to care for a building of exceptional historic significance.
The project was supported by a range of partners and funders, including the Diocese of Rochester’s Missional Property Fund, which exists to help parishes open up their church buildings more fully in support of mission.
The Fund is made possible through the generous backing of Marshalls Charity.
Dating from the 13th and 14th centuries and Grade I listed, St Peter and St Paul’s is a beautiful and much-loved church.
Like many historic buildings, however, aspects of its layout unintentionally created barriers.
With a solid wooden door, the main entrance was visually uninviting and immediately on entering, two steps made access difficult for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and others with limited mobility.
Photo: Before the transformation a solid wooden door and pews in a side aisle restricted welcome and accessibility.
Rather than accepting these constraints, the parish took time to reflect on the kind of welcome it wanted to offer as part of its mission to the local community.
Recognising that the building itself plays a vital role in shaping that welcome, the PCC and church team worked carefully their architect D C Hudson and Partners, to explore how improvements could be made in a way that respected the church’s heritage while addressing issues of access.
Close collaboration with the Rochester Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) helped the parish and their architect to develop proposals that balanced conservation with practical change.
The resulting works have created a clear, fully step-free route through the main entrance and improved internal access along the aisles.
Photo: A new ramp and welcomer station has been installed where the side pews were
New glazed doors have enhanced both accessibility and the visual presence of the entrance, making it lighter, clearer and more inviting.
Sarah Anderson, DAC Secretary for the Diocese of Rochester said:
"The DAC is delighted to see the difference that these changes have made to the welcome and accessibility at the church.
"The PCC and their architect contacted the DAC at an early stage in their plans and worked closely with us as they developed their designs. We look forward to visiting the church soon to see the results."
Maintenance Lead Graham Spillman reflects on the impact of the project:
“The previous layout inhibited wheelchair and pushchair access. This project allows access for all and the new glazed doors greatly enhance the visual aspect of the entrance.
"The main entrance now truly welcomes everyone both young and old, on wheels or on foot.”
Photo: New access ramp into the church
Additional support came from Friends of Kent Churches, the Congelow Trust, Garfield Weston, the Benefact Trust and the Congregational and General Charitable Trust.
The Welcome Project was conceived and championed with great commitment by Bert Boxall, founder of the Plant and Fabric team at Yalding.
An electrical engineer by trade, Bert brought deep practical knowledge and long-standing dedication to the care of the church.
He sadly passed away on 3 November 2025, aged 92, and is greatly missed, however, Graham says his legacy is reflected in a church that is now more accessible, welcoming and ready to serve future generations.
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Yalding, demonstrates how parishes can approach their buildings proactively, seeing them not simply as historic assets to be maintained, but as vital resources for mission, hospitality and inclusion.
The Diocese's Missional Property Fund is now open for 2026 applications. Find out more