Case Study

Emmanuel Holloway LED Lighting

Church:

Emmanuel Holloway, 145 Hornsey Road, N7 6DU

Designation:

Unlisted

Total project cost:

£19,176

Cloudesley grants:

Spring 2023: £19,176

Dates:

01/07/2023 – 14/07/2023

Contractors used:

CES Lighting & Electrical Specialists

Background

As part of ongoing improvements to the church’s infrastructure, the lighting across several key areas of the building was upgraded to LED fixtures. This included the entrance, chapel, worship space (main lights, side lights, and spotlights), and a small meeting room. Since this project took place, Emmanuel has subsequently received a Small Grant from the Sustainable Church Buildings Project to replace the remaining fluorescent lighting in the church with LED.

 

Benefits:

The new lighting system provided both functional and aesthetic improvements. Just one week after installation, the church held its annual Christingle service. At the moment when candles were lit, the lights were dimmed remotely via a mobile app, creating a memorable and atmospheric experience. Previously, lighting adjustments had been limited to manual switches with no ability to fine-tune the ambience.

The system also proved valuable for external bookings. One hirer requested a cabaret-style setup with lighting suitable for both a musical performance and a meal. The app-based controls enabled the church to tailor the lighting to both scenarios, contributing to a highly positive experience for the guests.

 

Challenges:

While the installation itself went smoothly, some follow-up work was required. This included decorating and repairing areas where old fixtures had been removed and new ones installed. In the chapel, the improved lighting revealed the extent of dirt and wear on the walls, highlighting the need for further cleaning and maintenance.

Top tips for other churches:
  • Ensure that you have plans to finance costs that may be revealed by a lighting project – e.g. areas where light fittings have been removed.
  • Create signage to enable building users/visitors use the lighting effects without access to the app.

The Cloudesley perspective – why did this project gain support?

The need for the work was clear, as the church’s existing lighting was starting to fail and was in immediate need of attention, and improved lighting was expected to help increase hire income in the future. Additionally, installing LED lighting will reduce the carbon footprint of the church, which aligns with Cloudesley’s commitment to tackling climate change.