An evangelical church in Hertfordshire has saved a historic building from destruction by securing it as the congregation’s new home.
ChristChurch Harpenden saw off competition from commercial developers as it sought to obtain a town-centre building – once a theatre – that had fallen into disrepair after years of underuse. The council’s plans to redevelop the site into housing were rejected, forcing them to sell. ChristChurch’s Lauren Cox shared with en: “Had the property become available even a year earlier, the church would not have been in as good a position to bid. This timing wasn’t accidental, for God had been quietly preparing the way.”
Gareth Loh, Senior Minister (and one half of the Christian music duo Awesome Cutlery), told en: “When the property came up for auction, we knew that realistically it was a long shot. We would never be able to compete financially with developers… But we found God going before us. Astonishingly, it was our bid that was accepted.”
The body of Christ was ready to assist; a local Christian architect stepped in to help shape redevelopment plans, and church volunteers saved potential expenditure by personally undertaking extensive strip-out works.
Cox told en: “For two decades, ChristChurch Harpenden has prayed for a permanent space to meet [for] its midweek ministries and Sunday services, with numbers growing to about 350 people each week. Meeting in a local school has served [us] well, but this new location – just steps from Harpenden’s high street and train station – dramatically increases [our] visibility and accessibility.”
The church’s plans have been described as “ambitious” – and include a full refurbishment and interior reworking, the addition of a balcony to accommodate the potential for over 500 people in a service, and the creation of a space for worship, youth work, community outreach and “wider gospel witness.” Fundraising initiatives are underway, and more details, including how to partner with the church on this project, can be found here.
“We are very grateful to God for His help throughout the whole process, and the church’s growing heart for many in Harpenden to encounter Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. We prayerfully look forward to seeing this new building become a home for our church at the heart of our town,” Loh concluded.
