We are delighted to be able to tell you that we have received unequivocal and universally positive PERMISSION from Bromley Council to go ahead with our rebuilding of our lower halls complex. After 45+ years of thinking, praying, designing, praying, dreaming and praying, it is truly a confirmation of the current work and ministry that we enjoy at Christ Church Beckenham.  Thanks be to God that he has chosen this time and this congregation to bring this vision to this result. Thanks be to God!

Our vision for future ministry and fellowship at Christ Church has always been at the forefront of our discussions, it has grown and developed over the last 8 years into something which will allow us to invite the community to “Come As they Are” regardless of age, mobility or special needs. The community will no longer just be welcome in word, but also by the provision of facilities that allow them to enter and use our premises with dignity, value and love. The gospel in word and deed!

 We began the process of invitation back in September 2024 when we had our public exhibition and consultation with the result being a 100% show of support. I want to thank all those who wrote to the planners with such positivity, some letters were very moving indeed, giving testament to how the church had helped and nurtured them. There can be no doubt that those words played a huge part in gaining this result. Thank you for your faithfulness and encouragement.

Our Action Group had its first meeting on Tuesday evening and already we have a team of people with a great many of the skills and enthusiasms essential to leading us through to the opening of the new building. As I looked at those gathered for that meeting, I was, once again, overwhelmed at how the Lord’s timing could not be better – what a team! There remain a couple of gaps in the central finance sub-group which we hope to fill very soon.

We will give you more information in the next couple of weeks about how things are going to proceed but for now we ask just one thing – don’t stop praying for this vision – our ministry is only sustainable and our plans only achievable in union with Jesus Christ and through the power of The Holy Spirit!

God bless,

Rob.

For many generations, Christ Church has enjoyed providing care and opportunities for people of all ages of our community and church: Toddler Group; Community Lunches; friendship groups; community groups; Open Doors, provision for children’s parties; local interest groups, such as the Beckenham Historical Society; Health and Wellbeing groups such as Pilates and Weight Watchers.  As well as church activities for children and young adults; bible study groups for people of all ages, and most recently ENCOUNTER – our worship gathering for people with Special Educational Needs.

But, sadly, we’ve always struggled to accommodate those of us with mobility or sensory needs – our buildings are not at all easy and we desperately want to change that. Jesus came to help and befriend everyone and so inclusion and accessibility lie at the heart of our building plans.

Regardless of whether you are advancing in age, or still at school,  or  whether your needs are more specific that other peoples’, we want to throw open our doors onto the High Street to you and everyone who needs a friend; a meal; something to do; training; a place to go; or a place to find all kinds of help and enjoyment. Our plans will help us do this better and for more of our community.

Click the button below for our fully animated Launch Brochure or scroll down to see our plans:

What Happens Next and How Can I Help?

Well, the “next Step” is happening right now, in fact, just your viewing of our plans helps us fulfil our desire to showcase our Vision to the community. So thank you! Once our month of public consultation concludes at the end of September, we will then be able to progress to a full planning application. That too, will need the support of our community as we ask you to write to the Planning Department to express your support. We hope to get that application in by the New Year and then have planning permission by Easter or Spring of 2024. If successful, we will then be in a position to apply for the charitable grants, charitable loans and personal donations and pledges. Only once we feel secure in our funding will we go out to contractors and commence the work. There’s still a long way to go and a great deal to be done.

But it may be that you would like to financially support our efforts even now. If you would like to know how to make a financial contribution to the professional costs we are already paying, or want to know how to pledge financial support for when our fundraising gets fully underway, please email Sarah Martin, our Treasurer, for a confidential conversation. accounts@ccb.org.uk