St Thomas’ Church in Ryde has been recognised at the Isle of Wight Conservation Awards, receiving one of only four Certificates of Merit presented during the annual event celebrating excellence in heritage restoration, conversion, and new building work affecting listed buildings.
The project was shortlisted from a strong field of 15 island-wide conservation schemes, including major heritage sites such as Newport Minster. Judges highlighted St Thomas’ Church as an outstanding example of thoughtful and sensitive repurposing of a historic building.
The former church has been carefully restored and adapted to provide a much-needed community facility for young people in Ryde. Key works have included the repair of the roof and stained glass windows, alongside the preservation of historic memorials within the building.
The redevelopment has created a vibrant new home for Ryde Youth Service, now offering a range of modern facilities including meeting rooms, a kitchen, home economics space, shower facilities, and Wi-Fi access integrated within the remaining pews, blending heritage features with practical, contemporary use.
The overall winner of the awards was an ambitious reconstruction of a double barn at Little Budbridge, praised for its exceptional craftsmanship and traditional medieval-style design.
The award for St Thomas’ Church reflects the importance of preserving historic buildings while adapting them to meet modern community needs, ensuring they continue to serve the Island for generations to come.