Designed by John Barker Riley, RIBA, after a process involving 5 years and 9 different designs, the project, which involved providing a multi-purpose room, kitchen, accessible WC facilities and approach to be linked to the front of a listed Temple Moore designed Church, set in open countryside, overlooking Roseberry Topping and the escarpment of the Cleveland Hills was commenced on site in late 2005 by P Coverdale & Sons of Bedale.

The existing entrance porch was carefully removed, each piece being numbered and set aside for later reassembly on the front of the new extension. The extension is built in hand-tooled Eskdale stone with stepped buttresses emphasising the corners to match the existing church. Narrow slit windows give views of the Hills from within whilst a self-cleaning glazed latern gives natural light to the open-joisted meeting room. The roof, low pitched to maintain the ridge height of the porch, and avoid clerestory windows in the nave, is clad in stainless steel with cast rainwater goods.

Due to the high levels of craftsmanship involved in the masonary and internal oak joinery and the specialist nature of all the trades involved, the project far exceeded its original 9 month construction period. As it was nearing the completion of roofing works in November 2006, John Riley suddenly passed away at the age of 82.

The great honour of completing his finest piece of work, was bestowed by Nunthorpe PCC, on his son, SJR Partner, Andrew Riley, who had a working knowledge of the project through many discussions with his father.

The annexe was finally completed in June 2007, some 18 months after its commencement and is a fitting tribute to its Designer and the Building Contractor, Peter Coverdale and his craftsman; giving the Church building a whole new dimension of light, views, warmth and flexibility which will continue to evolve for centuries to come.

In memory of John Barker Riley 26.08.25 – 19.11.06