The rector and churchwardens sought a faculty for the substantial re-ordering of the Grade I listed church so as to enable more flexible worship, exhibitions, courses and other parish activities, there being no church hall. The re-ordering included replacing pews in the south aisle with stackable chrome-framed upholstered chairs. The chancellor held that the works would cause harm but that the need for flexible space justified that harm. The Victorian Society did not object to the removal of the pews but argued that the chrome-framed upholstered chairs were not appropriate. The chancellor agreed and refused that part of the petition which provided for the introduction of those chairs, indicating that he would permit the introduction of wood-framed chairs or such other chairs as were confirmed by the Diocesan Advisory Committee to be of comparable quality. The additional £9,000 expense was justified in a Grade I listed building designed and built for the glory of God. [Catherine Shelley]