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What is it?
The Hooke Heritage Project is:
A Building project addressing the lack of a toilet, conservation needs and access constraints at the Grade I listed St Mary Magdalene Church Willen Village.
A Learning and events programme celebrating the building’s architect and his role at the forefront of scientific experimentation and learning.
If you’d like to help provide these, please donate to the church’s Hooke Heritage Project.
Is it needed?
In 1983 the Society of the Sacred Mission made a request to Milton Keynes Development Corporation for a Willen village meeting place. The neighbouring St Antony’s Priory was developed from the old Willen Village vicarage and included amenities the church congregation could use.
In 2019 the priory closed and access to a toilet was lost. In 2022 the Hooke Heritage Project began working to address this.
A request made in 1983 to Milton Keynes Development Corporation
What difference will it make?
It will conserve a unique, Grade I Robert Hooke built church, provide a toilet and improve access.
An example of the accessibility challenges the church currently faces
It will improve access and comfort for those regularly attending our concerts, exhibitions, talks, school visits, and intergenerational community events. including income-generating events to sustain the historic church.
It will provide a more viable destination rest point for current and future heritage visitors and walkers and cyclists using the churchyard as a scenic route within Milton Keynes’ famous redway network and to Willen Lake and Campbell Park
It will be more welcoming to the expanding population of Milton Keynes: set to grow from about 290,000 to 410,000 by 2050, including residents of 5,000 new nearby homes in Milton Keynes East.
Cycle groups often use the church grounds as a rest spot.
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Vision
By 2035, St Mary Magdalene Church will be a thriving and resilient local hub, uniting the entire community in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of its polymath architect, Robert Hooke.
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Aim
The journey will be as impactful as its outcome.
The project‘s commissioning and tendering process will encourage professional development and the sharing of deliverables through community events.
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Listening
To ensure diverse voices and perspective from varying backgrounds and ages help shape the project.
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Collaborating
Encouraging mutual support, sharing skills, reaching wider and more diverse audiences. The church and its building project are for instance currently being used by Milton Keynes College students to provide curriculum material.
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Phase 1: Research
Preliminary independent research by the Oxford Heritage Partnership identified that the Grade I listed St Mary Magdalene Church was of high significance.
Statement of Significance Willen St Mary Magdalene
Reordering or extending the church was considered by specialist heritage architect James Mackintosh
Public and stakeholder consultation showed there was sufficient support to move forward.
Phase 2: Concept development
The church is now considering how best to deliver the conservation needs of its Grade I heritage building, and of the access and comfort needs of those using it now and in the future.
Concept principles
Wide public consultation will inform concept development process.
Construction will follow when sufficient funds are raised
Minimal intervention: retain as much original material as possible.
Visual harmony: modern additions to be Robert Hooke and Grade 1 appropriate.
Reversibility: new installations to be removable without damage.
Materials, joinery and fittings: to be Grade I appropriate.
Creative interpretive Robert Hooke references to be incorporated.
Archaeology and ecology surveys to inform the delivery process.
- Heritage Fund, Oxford Diocese development fund, Society of the Sacred Mission, St Mary Magdalene Church and Milton Keynes City Council.
- Those who donate at our events.
- Project volunteers who donate their expertise.
- Philanthropic companies which donate cash or in kind.
How is it paid for?
For project early research and concept delivery, we are grateful to:
Further funds are being generated from grant applications, donations and community fundraising activities.
Who’s delivering it?
Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership (charity no. 1200563) is responsible for delivering the project. St Mary Magdalene Willen is one of its partner churches.
Resources: The Hooke Heritage Project, a voluntary, community led subcommittee of Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership provides expertise in strategic planning, fundraising, project management and communications.
Advisors: include stakeholders Milton Keynes City Council and The Diocese of Oxford, and the ‘What Would Hooke Do’ Think Tank, an informal group of technical experts and civic leaders who voluntarily advise.