External
The design concept for the new church evolved from the shape of the site when it was discovered that bisecting the angle of the two roads resulted in an East West access which is of course the correct orientation for a church. That together with the concept of the original shelter being a tent, the shape of the site and liturgical considerations led to the plan form.
The developed brief shows the need for general community use other than worship with a stated aim of it being a ‘seven days a week building’.
Materials have been chosen to express the function within the building with handmade Staffordshire tiles to the roof and Michelmarsh or similar bricks to the external walls.
To express the different function of the chancel and main worship area the use of Purbeck stone walls (with the connection of the Purbecks with that of St. Aldhelm after whom the church is dedicated) and a slate roof to this area will contrast with that in general community use.