The Challenge – Creating a temporary working church during major renovations
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, St Paul’s Church, also known as the Actors’ Church needed to continue serving its congregation while the main building underwent essential renovation work.
The brief was to provide a temporary working church within the consecrated garden. Space was extremely limited, access was restricted, and the installation had to fit within a tight build window between scheduled church and community events. The structure also needed to accommodate everything from weddings and christenings to weekly services and even the West End Woofs dog show, ensuring the church could remain at the centre of parish life throughout the works.
The Solution
Drawing on our experience with the client from previous projects, Trafalgar Structures designed and installed a 6 × 21 metre marquee to serve as a fully operational temporary church.
Within just two days, our team built the structure on a lawned area bordered by raised beds, taking care to protect the garden and maintain safe access for parishioners and tourists. The structure featured clear panoramic PVC panels, solid flooring with carpet, lighting, and illuminated fire exit signs, creating a bright, welcoming, and compliant space for services and events alike.
The Results
The temporary church enabled St Paul’s to continue all its regular activities without interruption from Sunday services to community gatherings and special occasions. It also ensured comfort and shelter during inclement weather while keeping the renovation works safely isolated from the congregation.
Feedback from the client was exceptionally positive, with praise for the on-site team and follow-up messages of thanks.