User:Davidstclements/sandbox

Investing in the future at St Clement’s, Ipswich

The former church building is at the centre of a growing community again, with hundreds of new homes created in the developing Waterfront area, and it has close links to the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College. The Hold county archive centre is also nearby. The Ipswich Historic Churches Trust is investing in bringing it back into use for arts, entertainment and other community events with the support of local fundraising and donations. During the winter of 2021/2022 large areas of old parquet flooring were removed and the main body of the church fitted with a new oak floor of marine timber, appropriate for the mariners’ church, to make it suitable for a wide variety of users. It is the largest ship’s deck in the region. It is now one of the biggest multi-purposes spaces available in the town centre. In early 2023 phase two of improvements included installing toilets and a new bell-ringing floor inside the church tower, along with connecting a new water supply and a drainage system. Some electrical improvements were also made. St Clement’s reopened in the summer of 2023 with a range of events which included a national rally celebration dinner for a boat owners' association, the Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival and the annual open art show for the prestigious Ipswich Art Society. Fundraising is under way to make further improvements to the building for public events, and to highlight the history of the maritime church and the Hanseatic League port.