Below is a record of the work done on our buildings during 2020. We undertook some of this work in faith and will hold a thanksgiving day to offset the difference on 11th July 2021.
Refurb of Castle Hill
29th June — Work begins in earnest
Everything is wrapped up to keep it clean until the removal team arrive mid-July 
The repair to the leak in the lounge is underway… 
Plenty of tools on site now 
A new ramp is being installed to improve access for all to the platform and conference room. 
A new enclosed area to stop the cold from rising up from the basement. 
Helen working hard!
3rd July — End of week 1…
The ramp is already complete 
Margo will be pleased to see the hoover still in use! 
The ladies toilets get underway… 
…with space for the new furniture being made 
Preparations for a new secure cleaning cupboard 
Ah…the cold from the basement is now contained… 
…and a new lockable door to replace the stable door 
The old wooden gate in the car park is gone to make way for a new fire escape door
10th July — End of week 2
Permanent ramp to staging. 
Hinged platform to under-stairs cupboard. 
New cleaning cupboard/store for vacuum. 
Lounge leaks resolved and ceiling re-plastered….new lights going in. 
17th July — End of week 3
-The “big move out” happened.
-The General Builder and Fitting-out Contractors have completed their work with the exception of final snagging.
-The Electrician will be back next Weds and Thurs to complete the electrical work.
-We have the opportunity to get the Decorators started a few days early and they are likely to make a start no later than Monday 27th.
-The order has been placed for carpets.
Skip – full and ready to go 
New fire escape door 
Stonework (inc. that bit up high) now cleaned! 
Plastering behind the platform complete 
Guttering all cleaned and leaks addressed (these are the windows at the back of the Lounge) 
Lobby now all cleared 
Washing machine and work area relocated to Attic over car park 
Dishwasher installed in serverey 
Fold down counter 
Mirrors and splash back in toilets 
New hand dryers! 
Disabled toilet updated with new cupboard. 
The Conference Room completely empty! How strange…
26th July — End of week 4
All electrical and building work complete
Sensor lights for the car park working again
Skip now gone!
The lights in the ramp are working again…. 
…isn’t that great?! 
New spotlight for the cross 
Handrail fitted for the ramp 
New sink, tap and hand dryer in the disabled toilet
31 July — End of week 5
All painting work underway and making good progress
Old decor gradually disappearing (spot the new strip light too) 
Previous picture at the end of the day… 
Lobby refreshed with extra lights 
Lobby (looking from entrance) 
Conference Room – lighter and brighter 
Ladies toilets
14th August — End of week 7
All paint work complete other than snagging. (Do look back to the first week to really appreciate the amazing difference.)
Safety checks carried out on fire alarms and emergency lights (@ Gerrard St too).
Scaffolding now up for blinds to be fitted to top windows above the balcony (first photo taken right from the top!)
Carpet removed ready for new one to be fitted w/c 24 August.
21st August — End of week 8
A week of ‘snagging’ around the project.
Gate to car park has a nice lick of paint… 
…as does the new door in the top corner of the car park
28th August – End of week 9
A week of ‘carpet’
4th September – End of week 10
Final snagging and all our ‘stuff’ is returned (this is crate 1 of 2!)…
18th September – End of week 12
Snagging of platform and lots of cleaning/clearing
The cross is reinstated 
A view from the double doors 
New edging for all our steps 
Looking out from the platform up to the central windows with new remote-controlled blinds
RefuRb of Gerrard Street
The refurbishment of Gerrard Street is now complete. Lots of work on ‘hidden’ issues alongside a major repaint and improvement in lighting. The Preschool team are delighted with the work, giving the place a fresh and light feel. Praise God for his provision!
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”1″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Refurb 2020: The story
As you may be aware, the fellowship has been saving over the last few years to fund a significant refurbishment of our two main buildings on Castle Hill (not Gateway) and Gerrard Street. Dave Pearce and the Property Team will be bringing their proposals of work to the January Church Meeting. Following this, we are keen that everyone is aware of the proposed plans, so these documents will be generally available for all to view in church from Sunday 26th January and via the church website.
Why are we doing this? The buildings have been a great blessing over many years but are now in need of some refurbishment to keep them in good condition, resolve some hidden problems (preventing future escalating costs) and enabling us to continue to present welcoming spaces for our worship, work and witness.
As a way of giving thanks for the blessing these buildings have been over the last 20+ years and to invest in them for the next 20, we will be holding a Gift Day. Details of this financial offering will be advertised nearer the time.
Further Details
At the end of 2019 the Church decided that 2020 would be the year to embark on a Refurbishment of both Gerrard St Hall , and the Church building.The work will include maintenance and repairs, decoration ,staging and new flooring, with a budget estimate of £86,000. On the basis of costings and estimates to date , it is unlikely that any replacement of chairs will be possible as part of this phase of work , however , this could be considered as a stand alone project in the future.
Scope for our main church building: Click Here
Scope for Gerrard Street: Click Here