Location: Chiddingstone, Kent

Lighting Design: Fireflix

Fittings Used: LEDStar Ultimate

Specified by Fireflix and Churchwarden Nigel Lucas, this project was funded solely by donations. This included the complete removal of the incumbent and old-fashioned incumbent lighting system which was installed in 1936. The lighting comprised chandelier-type fittings hanging from each arch, which did not provide suitable ambient light for the whole Church, were very obtrusive and detracted from the beautiful architectural features and details.

The brief was to replace this lighting with a high performance, multi-functional, modern computer-controlled scheme. This needed to have preset lighting levels to meet the various requirements of different types of service held within the Church. In addition, certain features of the 13th Century church, such as the sandstone font manufactured in 1628, the 18th Century chandelier, the 14th Century window and the famous “vinegar” bible all needed to be more effectively illuminated because they attract many visitors.

Churchwarden Nigel Lucas explains, “This lighting installation has revolutionised St Mary’s and has proved extremely popular with parishioners and visitors alike. The previous chandeliers which hung from the arches did not really provide sufficient light, and we could not alter the levels of light they produced. The new lights are spectacular. Now for the first time, it is a pleasure to watch visitors sit down and look up and around. The wonderful pitched roof is dramatically lit, and perfect illumination accentuates the beauty of the arches. Members from other Churches have come to see the lighting and their response has been fantastic. The ability to change the levels of light is marvellous. For baptisms, weddings and Sunday services, we now have sympathetic lighting schemes to enhance any occasion”.