Site Development

Serving the Community in Jesus’ name

The Current Site

We have decided that our current buildings are not best able to serve our missions, with one building requiring continual repair and a site that does not reach our growing needs. In May 2016 we decided that we would pursue a redevelopment of a new site and building to serve the community, and we are currently exploring what this might mean.

What Can I Do?

We realise any project we become involved with will simply be impossible to achieve in our own strength, however, through prayer, and in God’s power, all things are possible.


Prayer Points

What’s Happened?

October
2011

The Schoolroom windows are in a poor condition and need replacement & trees on the boundary are causing damage to the Main Church Building. Cracks appearing in the foyer appear to be caused by trees on the south boundary.

March
2012

A survey is performed as a result of concerns around the increased number of cracks appearing in the buildings on site, which concluded all buildings were structurally stable. At the next church meeting it is decided that some of the trees parallel to the buildings would be removed, and that the drains need to be inspected.

July
2012

The windows fitted in the Schoolroom are beyond repair on the south side and need replacing before the winter at significant cost to the church. New windows are sourced that look similar, and the concrete window sills are refirbished.

October
2012

The new windows are fitted to the Schoolroom, and several trees have been removed from the site. During the fitting of the windows, the contractor reports that the north & south walls of the Schoolroom are bowing, have no wall ties, and the wooden seams are rotting.

February
2013

Repairs to the hall are quoted at being more than £18,000 excluding replacement flooring, roofing and heating. The question is raised to church members: Repair the building, or replace it with a new building? The existing building is safe to use at present.

April
2013

A plan of a new pyramid-shaped building is presented as an example of a new build to the church. It is decided to contact an architect to plan for a new hall in order to continue existing youth work and groups in accordance with the church’s 2020 vision.

June
2013

Church deacons are given permission by the church membership to seek professional advice and plans from an architect, whilst also contacting a structural engineer to assess the condition of the Schoolroom.

July
2013

An NFM Building Inspection is performed on the Schoolroom that confirms there are severe cracks and continued movement of the building. As well as the problems with the bottom of the walls previously identified, it is now known that the top of the walls lean outwards as a result of the roofing tiles installed 30 years prior.

October
2013

A selection of architects are presented to the church membership who decide upon Archangel to conduct a feasibility study and planning for a new church building.

February
2014

site development team are formed from the church membership to pursue building options to replace the Schoolroom with a new facility to house youth work and other church activities. For several months this group discuss with council planners site options, and have the site surveyed to be able to create plans in future.

October
2014

Due to concerns from church membership and the wider community, a ‘grave survey’ is performed. The survey, where it was possible to perform, showed no remains.

January
2015

A second site survey is performed to ensure the Main Church Building is in a good structural condition should the church wish to construct a new hall as an extension to it. The survey showed such an option could be chosen.

March
2015

Archangel (the architect) provides a ‘side extension’ plan concept, where a church extension would take place to the left of the existing Main Church Building. Throughout the next few months the site development team refine the plan to suit the objectives of the church.

November
2015

An alternative extension proposal is presented by a member of the church, where the new building would be placed behind the existing Main Church Building. This was supported by concerns about the provision of parking in the side-build concept.

April
2016

Day of Prayer

The Elders call the church to a time of prayer about the future of the church and the buildings.

May
2016

A majority of members believe that all buildings on the site should be replaced with a single building that provides all of the necessary facilities for current work to continue, and allows for future growth of the church and its’ mission. Work on plans for extensions ceases in favour of this new proposal.

July
2016

The site development team positions are now filled by elders and deacons, who will continue the project to its’ completion.

October
2016

The results of a questionnaire sent by the church to other churches who have recently completed a similar building project, are collected. These are presented to church members and are available online.

February
2017

The site development team aim to involve the community through through this online record, and the and the consideration of potential building partners.

April
2017
Following a further site meeting, the church deacons ask whether the church should have a dedicated site development leader who can dedicate their time to the project, instead of ministerial duties delaying the project. It is also mentioned that the project should be driven by mission rather than what grants contribute towards.
October
2017

Following the appointment of the site development project leader, Secretary Colin Tucker, the church is asked to determine what facilities the church can provide with new buildings that can best serve the wider community.

January
2018

The Deacons, alongside the site development project leader investigated two of the proposed ideas, and have obtained further details about project feasibility. The focus is now turning to funding the project through grants and community partnerships.

April
2018

The site development lead has, with the help of the Deacons, looked at a number of potential options, many of which have ceased to progress, although one contact who was involved with Luff House (Frinton) shared some expertise on various types of homes, sheltered accommodation and similar facilities, and the viability of such a project taking place on the church premises is now taking place.


Download Timeline (PDF)

Prayer

We believe in the importance of prayer, and we would be delighted if you could pray for this project. Whether you are a regular at the church, or simply visiting our website, we would love for you to pray for us.

Please Pray For…

  • Guidance over whether we should have long-term build partners.
  • Guidance over short and long-term community use of our site.
  • Assistance financially to enable any building project to be possible.

Previous Prayer Points

Guidance over whether we should have a site development leader.
God guided us to appoint a site development project leader in July 2017 to oversee and manage the site development. This has already enabled us to further investigate many of the options available to us to work with the community to provide facilities in the long-term.