The Church of the Good Shepherd, a distinctive brutalist landmark in Batheaston, is on track to be preserved after a local construction firm stepped in to save it from demolition. Built in 1967 on the outskirts of Bath, the church has long divided opinion within the village due to its bold and unconventional design.
After closing its doors in 2020, the church was put up for sale with planning permission granted last year for its demolition and replacement by housing, sparking mixed reactions. While some villagers welcomed the change, others strongly opposed losing this architectural icon.
Wraxall Builders, a Batheaston-based company known for adaptive reuse projects—including the transformation of Bath’s Quaker Meeting House into Toppings bookshop—has emerged as the preferred buyer. The firm plans to convert the church’s ground floor into new office space and redesign the central worship area into a much-needed childcare centre for the community.
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Henry Channer of Wraxall Builders, a local resident, expressed his enthusiasm: “I personally really like the building. From outside it might not seem beautiful, but inside is an incredible space—almost like a Tardis.” He emphasized the community value of the proposed childcare facility, adding, “Having this resource in Batheaston will be really valuable for the village.”
The church was designed by Bath architect Martin Fisher, known also for St Peter and Paul’s Church in Combe Down. Constructed from poured concrete blocks, the building features a unique sloping square roof that evokes a pilgrim’s tent. Its most striking element is a large window with a colored pattern that is visible from inside when sunlight filters through, and revealed from the outside only when lit at night—thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Reflecting the Catholic Church’s evolution post-Vatican II, the Church of the Good Shepherd embraced mid-20th-century brutalist architecture, similar in spirit to the later Clifton Cathedral in Bristol. Though closed during the pandemic amid declining congregation numbers, the church was locally listed as a heritage asset and praised by architectural experts for its distinctive design.
Wraxall Builders aim to finalize the purchase soon and plan to submit a formal planning application after community consultations. A drop-in event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the church, inviting residents to review and discuss the redevelopment plans without need for prior registration.