St Mary‘s (Shalford Community Centre) Project
An ambitious project to reorganise our church interior and build a new contemporary Community Centre.
To enable us to serve our Community more easily we need to turn our church into an ‘everyday church’ to serve our churchgoing and wider community who wish to use it as a community resource. It will be inclusive &ndash available for everyone regardless of their beliefs.
Plans showing the new community centre to the left of the church.
Click on the image to see a bigger plan (shown in a new window)
Why do we need a Community Centre?
To replace our ageing, damp church room. The contemporary new building will house a large foyer, large meeting/function room, fully fitted kitchen, the Vicar and Parish Secretary‘s Offices. It will have full disabled facilities and secure and plentiful car parking. The building will be integral to the church making the whole area much more user (and weather) friendly for all ages and abilities.
Why does the church interior need changing?
To keep up with the times and allow for modern liturgical needs. Many modern lively churches are now utilising their beautiful historic interiors for functions such as concerts and wedding receptions. By installing flexible seating it will give us enormous opportunities to use the space wisely for the benefit of many. Also there are many positives on a practical nature regarding the fabric and ongoing maintenance of the church this will solve.
Who will it serve?
Everyone in our community. Of course for our own church functions, particularly after service drinks, but we also plan for it to be available to anyone. It will be used in the daytime, evenings and weekends for community and support groups, local authorities (council and police meetings) private hire for parties, wedding receptions and baptisms and for a quiet reflective area after funerals. We also hope to have drop in coffee mornings every weekday morning open to everyone at no cost and to organise community events for all groups of our community.
How much will it cost?
Currently it is estimated to cost £1.25m. This is for the church reordering and New Build Centre project to completion.
How will you get the money?
From our parishioners, our village community through individual donations, or corporate donations. Also from fundraising events, grants and community funding projects. We are registered for Gift Aid donations too.
Most importantly, we‘ll be having FUN whilst raising this money! Many community events will be organised – please help support them. Click here for information on our fundraising events.