The Building Program at Offington Park Methodist Church

first churchgoogle churchWhat was the vision of the people who first built our church? The land was bought in 1928 long before there were houses around this area. The church was built four years later, no doubt with expansion in mind, going by its position in the corner of the site. They could never have dreamed that eighty years later a “google view” of the church premises would have shown such tremendous development:

We have inherited good facilities here but what is our responsibility for the next generation? The church premises are used throughout the week but, as in most cases, the main church itself is used only on Sundays. We have a Methodist tradition for practicality which is amply illustrated by the church John Wesley built in Bristol at the start of Methodism where the “New Rooms” were used as a dispensary for the poor as well as serving as a church CPL logo

In 2007 the church engaged in an Option Study with CPL architects to try and obtain some clear insight into the specific ministry which the church is being called to carry out. This largely involved speaking with individuals and groups and researching into local community needs. CPL then put forward a number of solutions in plan form to show the main options possible within the constraints. Church Council felt the plan was too grand and expensive but agreed in principle to work through the options and so set up a steering group. After numerous plan reviews the steering group felt confident to ask the church to re-invite CPL to address the church with Plan 15. The plan included a first phase of a single entrance through which all, whom came on to the premises, would pass through, a coffee/internet meeting area, access into the worship area, prayer space, refurbished toilets and flower arrangers room. Click here to see a summary. The second phase would include a first floor to the AF hall to include administration offices so releasing the current front entrance of the church for counselling facilities.

At an extraordinary Church Council meeting in July 2009 agreement was made to implement phase 1 of the building development above with a proviso that work should be first undertaken to refurbish the worship area to make it a more flexible space.

The work includes:-

    • Replacing windows
    • Replacing pews with chairs
    • Flooring
    • Removal of pulpit and choir stalls
    • Glass external doors

At the council meeting in October the committee formally gave the go ahead for this refurbishment work as funds allow. The work on the windows was to start immediately.

 

Forum on the building program
If you would like to comment on our building program please send an email to
webmaster@offingtonpark.com