'Spectacular' new church for Benedictine nuns in North York Moors National Park wins top architecture prize

Stanbrooke Abbey Church - image Tim Crocker

The winners of the 2016 Church Architecture Awards have been announced at a ceremony attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester at St Mellitus College, in London today, Thursday 3 November 2016.

Stanbrook Abbey Church, a spectacular new building in the North York Moors National Park built for a community of Benedictine nuns and designed by architects Feilden Clegg and Bradley Studios, has won the 2016 Presidents' Award for new church buildings.

Stanbrook Abbey Church was built for the Conventus of Our Lady of Consolation who relocated from their original 19th Century abbey building in Worcestershire. They chose a remote site on the edge of the North York Moors.

From the outside, the building presents a soaring curved facade reminiscent of a theme-park roller coaster, faced in vertical timber slats, which have weathered to grey.

The judges said: "Here we have one of the best church buildings of recent times. Of note are its setting, tranquillity, feel of faith and its gorgeous position. The placing of the elements is spare in a very Benedictine tradition. Light spills in from the South side through huge fins which support the stepped timber roof. The light effect is beautiful, as is the artificial lighting. It will do you good to visit!"

This year, the Presidents' Award was jointly awarded to a project to extend and provide new facilities for the parish church of St Mary and St Thomas of Canterbury, Wymondham, Norfolk, designed by architects Freeland Rees Roberts.

The King of Prussia Gold Medal for church repair and conservation architecture was won by architects Lloyd Evans Prichard for their work to restore the spire of Sir George Gilbert Scott's St James church, New Brighton, Merseyside.

Architects Jonathan Rhind were highly commended for their King of Prussia entry for tower and belfry repairs to St Mary's church, High Bickington, Devon.

The winner of a new award, Young Church Architect of the Year, was also announced at the Church Architecture Awards. The award recognises the contribution being made to church buildings by architects in the early stages of their career. It is given to young architect who has worked on a winning or shortlisted design entered for The King of Prussia Gold Medal or the Presidents' Award.

The first Young Church Architect Award went to Tania Gomez-Duran, Associate at Freeland Rees Roberts, for her work on St Mary and St Thomas of Canterbury, Wymondham, Norfolk.

The Church Architecture Awards are run by the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association and the National Churches Trust.

Luke March, Chairman of the National Churches Trust said: "We received a very strong selection of entries reflecting the growing confidence of architects in designing a wide range of new church architecture in the UK and the continuing excellence of architects in carrying out a wide range or repair and conservation work.

"I was delighted that we were able to award the Presidents' Award for new church buildings to Feilden Clegg and Bradley Studios for Stanbrook Abbey Church, a spectacular new building in the North York Moors National Park built for an order of Benedictine nuns. Particularly noteworthy are its setting, tranquillity, feel of faith and its gorgeous position."

The Presidents' Award is awarded on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association President and the National Churches Trust's Joint Presidents, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The award is open to church buildings of all Christian denominations in the UK.

Source: National Churches Trust