Nick Cahill Church Award 2022

The Nick Cahill award is an annual award, the winner receiving a trophy designed by Kurt Jackson. As a donator to the award, CAS is delighted that Holy Trinity Church at Penponds has won this award which is a highly suitable way of marking the important work carried out by Nick.

Paul Holden, chairman of the Diocese of Truro Advisory Committee–of which Nick was a much valued member–said ‘Nick was a hugely influential and highly respected member of Cornwall’s heritage community. He was a respected scholar and authority in many aspects of the built environment and was unfailingly generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge and expert opinion. In serving many local and national interest groups and committees and working for Cornwall Council he left no corner of Cornwall or aspect of our heritage forgotten’. Nick had a particular passion for churches and chapels so, in memory, the Diocese of Truro, generously supported by many organisations that Nick supported, set up an award open to projects involving ecclesiastical buildings and sites of all faiths and denominations. The Nick Cahill Award recognises excellence in design and craftsmanship and, in keeping with Nick’s progressive outlook, considers both exciting interventions and more modest conservation, restoration or modernisation projects.

This year’s winner–Holy Trinityn at Penponds–is a small Grade II listed church, with beautifully decorated interiors. To improve community use within the building the church have added a respectful and well-detailed extension that incorporates new kitchen and toilet facilities. The judges were impressed by the quality, architectural design and attention to detail of the new building, in particular how it respects the historic architecture. The simple and effective interior design has a minor impact on the church interiors but will have a huge bearing on mission and worship. The extension was added by Scott & Co, Truro and financed by the Holy Trinity Penponds Frances Butlin Trust, from a bequest from the estate of Rosemary Hereford and a grant from Garfield Weston.

A highly commended award was given to St Julitta, Lanteglos-by-Camelford – an exemplary, committed and ambitious restoration of a Grade I listed building, which was hard to fault in any respect. Several years ago this church was in a shocking state, now, because of the commitment of the architect, contractors and project team, worship can take place in comfort. The judges liked the high standards of workmanship, the respectful siting of a new kitchen in the church tower and the wide community engagement. The thoughtful approach to the restoration has not negatively affected the historic integrity of the site. The other two shortlisted entries were St Martin’s, Liskeard, and Tresparrett Methodist Chapel, near Camelford.