What do we need to do?

The Church of the Ascension is committed to praying, welcoming and growing.  However the nature of our building, built in 1939, is limiting how well we can welcome the community into the church as it presents a number of obstacles:
 

• There are poor facilities and access for people with disabilities and parents with prams and babies
• We need to make visible what goes on in the building – many people don’t realise it’s a church!
• We need more space to greet and meet with people before and after services
• We need to offer encouragement and comfort for children and older people
• We want to promote better what we are doing and what is on offer
• We want to provide an attractive bookstall and library.

In addition, the Ascension Hall, built in 1961, which is central to welcoming the community and supporting our finances now needs a new roof at a cost of over £20,000.

Enlarging our welcome

Working with experienced church architect, Martin Heijne, and members of the congregation plans have been drawn up to transform the situation. To mark the transition into a new decade, we would like to put the problems right and to:
 

• Create full disabled access at the main entrance leading through a pair of new glazed doors
• Create a carpeted welcome area (by removing the back four rows of pews) that can be used after services and for small meetings and gatherings with comfortable furnishings for the enjoyment of the young and the not so young.
• Install new bookshelves, notice boards and a concealed kitchenette
• Convert the garden store into a wheelchair accessible toilet and  make associated adjustments to the doors in the north lobby
• Re-roof the church hall in an efficient manner that will enable it to last for another 40 years.

The Budget

The project will cost £90,000 if undertaken in January to September 2010.  We hope to raise the funds as follows:

Ascension Repair Fund

Fundraising events

Trusts/Lottery

70th Anniversary Appeal

How you can help

We believe these developments are vital for the future mission and well being of the Ascension if it is to serve congregation and community well for another 70 years. We can only make these changes with your financial support and prayers. If you are a UK tax payer and gift aid your contribution the government will increase your gift by 28%. If you pay higher rate tax you will also receive an additional 12% tax relief.

If we are to reach our target the average gift will need to be £350 before tax.  Larger contributions would be most welcome but of course smaller donations will also help All contributions will be gratefully received.

£4,000

£3,000

£43,000

£40,000

Figure above shows artists impression of new rear of church. Please click on image to enlarge.

Figure below shows proposed floor plan of new rear of church. Please click on image to enlarge.

Over £39,000 Raised!

The appeal formally closed at our Harvest Service on October 4th having raised a total of £39,003.63. Thanks to all who have contributed thus far. We ended within £1,000 of our target so if you have a late donation, do send it in and help us get there!

Where will the money go?

• £5,000 will buy one of the new pairs of glazed accessible doors in the main entrance.
   
• £1,000 will purchase all fittings for the wheelchair accessible toilet and baby change.
   
• £500 will fit a bookcase for the library.
   
• £350 will purchase an easy chair
   
• £200 will purchase a new doormat at the Church entrance.
   
• £100 will purchase a table.
   
• £50 will purchase a standard chair.

Please note: In the unlikely event of the project not being completed, unused funds will be returned to donors on written request.  Should the Appeal exceed its target, funds will be retained for future development of the buildings.