633080
The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

New name, new building for Sheringham church

SBC New Build April 13 384 AR2013: “Lighthouse” will be the name of a brand new church building which is growing daily in Sheringham, and “Lighthouse Community Church” will be the new name for the local Baptist church which expects to move in during August. Tony Rothe reports.

 
The shell of the new church centre on Cromer Road is nearing completion as the final blocks get added to the walls, and the roof timbers are lowered into place. It will be fitted out with a 250-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, kitchen, and a vibrant cafe, so that it can be used by other community groups, as well as Lighthouse Community Church.
 
“This centre won’t just be a church”, explained Pastor Bryan Pickard, “but a superb modern facility for the benefit of the local community.  We will be expanding our work with children and young people, and introducing a tea club for the more mature members of the community. We want this to be a place where Sheringham folk feel they can call in and be a part of”. 
 
SBC New Build Roof April 13 38The project started when the folk at Sheringham Baptist Church went to view a replacement site for their crumbling premises back in December 2009. The site was purchased, planning permission granted, and building work commenced in December 2012.
 
The total cost of the project is expected to be around £1.6m, including the original site purchase. This has been met by selling existing properties, grants, loans, giving by church members, and fund-raising activities.
 
“Raising that sort of money is pretty miraculous” said Pastor Bryan, “but that is down to God’s provision – We believe this is His plan, so He has enabled the funds to become available”.
 
SBC New Build AR 314The church is now raising finance to complete the fitting out, and to buy chairs! There have been a number of fund-raising events over the last couple of years, including table-top sales, book sales, a plant sale, Christmas Fayre, cosmetics evening, Barn Dance, Music Night etc, and the church will have a cake stall in Sheringham town centre on May 4.
 
The next fund-raising event at the Holway Road church is the annual plant sale, which will take place on Saturday June 1. This is the ideal opportunity to stock up on bedding, tomato plants, shrubs, indoor plants, etc. There will also be books, cakes and general stalls, and those who come along can enjoy a coffee.
 
Anyone wishing to contribute to the project should send an e-mail to Chris Gould at treasurer@sheringhambaptistchurch.co.uk

More information can be found on the church website : www.sheringhambaptistchurch.co.uk
Or type Sheringham Baptist Church new build  into Facebook for up-to-date news.

All pictures are courtesy of http://www.smg-architects.co.uk/

12078 views
To submit a story or to publicise an event please email: web@networknorwich.co.uk