To coincide with its 150th Jubilee, Taradale Anglican Church undertook a carefully considered lighting upgrade, balancing the need for improved performance and reliability with respect for the building’s historic fabric.
As a long-standing place of worship and community gathering, the church required a lighting solution that could support a wide range of services, ceremonies, and events, while remaining intuitive for users and visually discreet within the architecture.
The brief
The existing lighting system had become dated and difficult to maintain, with limited flexibility for different uses of the space. The parish sought a solution that would improve reliability, simplify control, and enhance the architectural qualities of the interior, without altering the historic ceiling or finishes.
Ease of use was critical, with multiple users needing to operate the system confidently.
A layered lighting solution
BEGA luminaires form a key part of the upgraded scheme, selected for their optical precision, build quality, and ability to integrate discreetly within heritage environments. To highlight the altar, BEGA 51341.1 K3 spotlights were carefully positioned and aimed, drawing focus to this central element while enhancing the warmth of surrounding timber.
The Apse, a defining architectural feature of the church, is illuminated using two BEGA 84963 luminaires. Their controlled optics provide even, balanced illumination to the end wall, reinforcing the form of the space without visual intrusion.
Throughout the Nave and Transepts, Offspring Profiles linear luminaires are discreetly integrated to deliver clean, functional light, supporting everyday use while remaining visually recessive. A layered approach ensures high-quality white light for regular services, with the flexibility to introduce colour and atmosphere when appropriate.
- Angle Andy 16 profiles were installed to the underside of the pelmet, providing clean, direct illumination to the Nave and Centre Aisle.
- Angle Andy 25 illuminates the North and South Transept walls, carefully aimed to define the space and introduce colour for gatherings that benefit from a more atmospheric setting.
- Dado Dave 20 has been used to uplight the Transepts’ feature raised ceiling voids to emphasise the variation in ceiling height and add depth and diversity to the lighting effects.
- Flat Freddie 30 was housed in a pelmet trough, concealing powerful RGB + twin white LED strip.
- Colour-tunable LED panels were selected to fit precisely within the existing ceiling openings.
Control and flexibility
A Casambi wireless lighting control system underpins the installation, allowing intuitive scene-setting for different services and events. The system provides flexibility without complexity, enabling controlled user access while ensuring consistent and reliable operation.
The result
The completed lighting upgrade delivers a robust, adaptable solution that enhances the church’s architecture while supporting its ongoing use. By combining BEGA’s precision luminaires with discreet linear lighting and intuitive control, the scheme achieves a balance of performance, restraint, and atmosphere appropriate to a heritage setting.
Lighting design: Moth Light
Photography: Eva Bradley Photography
