St Wins
Church
A major refurbishment of a Grade 2 Listed 20th Century Church in Totton
Worship
Welcome
“The building works have been amazing in bringing new life to what was arguably a derelict building. It has enabled the church community to grow from 25 to 250 in the last 4 years...”
Steve Hill, Senior Project Manager at Winchester Diocese
It was a huge privilege for us to work with the team at St Wins to breathe new life into this stunning early 20th century Grade II Listed building.
As our local parish church, just around the corner from our studio in Totton, we had always admired the building's simple brick envelope. Nothing, however, prepared us for the raw power of the interior. Two massive brick arches span the full width of the sanctuary, separated by a series of smaller arches that support the pair of balconies and frame the space. The simplicity and scale of the space, flooded with natural light from either side, are both uplifting and grounded. We wanted to reinforce this in our proposals.
What the existing building lacked was a coherent and contemporary entrance experience, adequate for this new expression of church in the building, and an active frontage. The existing fabric was also in a poor state of repair and needed significant and sensitive refurbishment.
We integrated a more legible and generous lobby, a new cafe, a flexible hall, and new toilets, significantly improving the functionality of the building and warmth of welcome. The new cafe occupies redundant space between the outer arched loggia and serves to activate the building's frontage.
We also negotiated the removal of the old organ and a solid concrete font that were incongruous with the new expression of church in the building.
The result is a renewed church, whose building helps to provide both an inspiring place to worship and a warm welcome at the heart of our community. We are delighted to see that the congregation has grown significantly since the church re-opened.
Winner of the 2025 Church Architecture Presidents' Award
‘Snug’s deep understanding of both the church and the needs of the wider community was integral to the revitalisation of St Wins. Receiving this award has been a great encouragement to us all, recognising the strength of the partnership between Snug, the DAC (Winchester Diocese), and the church. We are so grateful that the St Wins community will be able to enjoy this beautiful building for many years to come.’
Rev Ali Hill – Vicar at St Wins
Elegant and honest brick arches form and enclose the sanctuary
The church has an imposing brick facade with distinctive brick arches fronting the street and brick tower with inset cross. We sensitively enclosed what was an external and largely unused portico, creating a more welcoming and active frontage and warm presence on the street.
The building is characterised inside and out by load bearing brick arches of varying scale
The new cafe inhabits the space between the inner and outer arches
There is a welcome and warmth to this place...
The sanctuary is light and airy.
The relationship between the congregation and the reordered stage ensures strong connections
...and an inspiring place to worship.
The project has not only helped to transform the building...it has helped to transform and renew a vibrant community within.
“The building works have been amazing in bringing new life to what was arguably a derelict building. It has enabled the church community to grow from 25 to 250 in the last 4 years...”
Senior Project Manager, Winchester Diocese