The completion of a major renovation project at All Saints’ Church in Ryde has been pushed back by several months, with works now not expected to be completed until March next year, instead of early November as originally planned.
The delay follows what the church has described as ‘unexpected challenges’ during the construction process, including the drying time required for specialist heritage materials and other ‘unforeseen disruptions’.
This setback comes after earlier scrutiny of the project from heritage campaigners, including the Victorian Society, which had raised objections to aspects of the proposed alterations to the historic Isle of Wight landmark.
In an update issued today, All Saints’ Church confirmed that while the building will not be fully complete for several more months, limited use will be possible during the festive season.
A spokesperson for All Saints’ Church has said:
“We’ve been working hard to renew and improve our church building to better serve our community. While good progress has been made, we’ve encountered some unexpected delays. As a result, the full completion of the works is now expected by the end of March 2026.
“The good news is that we will be able to use the building on a temporary basis over the Christmas period for worship and celebration. After Christmas, the building will close again so work can continue”.
“We’re so grateful for your ongoing patience, support, and prayers. Please continue to pray for all those involved in the project, and look out for further updates as we move closer to completion.”
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With Remembrance Sunday just around the corner, the church team recently met with Ryde Town Council to put a plan into place for the annual Remembrance Service. However, details – including the location – have not yet been announced, only that some ‘adjustments’ will be made this year.
