After eight years developing the proposal, the plans have been submitted
It has been eight years’ work behind the scenes, with plans now submitted by a thriving Kent church for a £5 million expansion of its building and facilities, including a five-bedroom church house. Christ Church in the High Street in Tunbridge Wells sees nearly 500 people gather there each Sunday, with more than 1,000 people using the church each week.
It has a long history, with the original Christ Church being built on the site in 1831. But fast forward two centuries, and the church leaders say its congregation and community have outgrown the building.
The church is “showing its age” and essential repairs alone would cost £1.6m, said the church. A fundraising target of £3.5m has been set for phase one of the Kingdom Building project and, in November, gifts and pledges from just 42 givers totalled £1,054,947.
Leaders said by redeveloping the building and facilities, Christ Church can “bring God’s vision to life and create a home for our mission as a church”. This would include offering a home for local organisations and services, and people being able to come together in larger numbers.
The redevelopment would see a 63 per cent increase in space – or an extra 650sqm. Elements of the plan include:
- Enlarging the worship space from 180 seats to 360 seats capacity, with a gallery and new side chapel
- New and reconfigured rooms for children, youth, offices and other uses
- Modern facilities with updated lighting, heating, sound, kitchen and toilets
- Accessible toilets and step-free access
- A “welcoming, visible presence on the High Street”
- A new detached church house for staff, on church land – with five bedrooms, for staff
The planning application from the church’s Parochial Church Council, has been lodged with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. There are lots of interesting details to be pored over, which any member of the public can do on the council’s planning portal.
There are 21 parking spaces now, which would be reduced to nine: the house would have two bays. Leaders said they were seeking grants towards the cost of the scheme, but most of the funding would have to come from those at Christ Church Tunbridge Wells.
More than 25 groups meet each week at the church, and there are more than 100 children in Kids Church, and around 45 young people in youth activities. Anyone who wants to give towards the project can do so via this link here.
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