Shanklin United Reformed Church

High Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. PO37 6LA
Registered Charity No. 1130459

A member of the Evangelical Alliance

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Building For The Future


What Is It?

Basically, Building For The Future aimed to enhance our fine building to make it more user-friendly for the twenty first century by:

  • Providing more up to date and comfortable facilities which are accessible to everyone.

  • Creating flexible space which will allow better use to be made of the building.

  • Making the frontage and lobby area more open and welcoming.

  • Adding further rooms to accommodate our growing needs.

This seemed to be a daunting task but we believed that God has lead us forward with this project.

The Journey So Far

It has been a long journey seeking what God wants us to do with the building:

  • 1997 - A Vision Workshop was held.

  • 2000 - A Feasibility Study was undertaken with support from URC Wessex Trust, who have been involved at all stages.

  • The present plans gradually came together as the challenges of the limited space were considered with the architect, Keith Loveless.

  • Days of Prayer have been held so we have continued to seek God’s will at each stage.

  • September 2001 - a Church Meeting decided in principle to go ahead with the building plans, knowing that this would be a huge challenge.

  • January 2003 - saw planning permission being granted for the external changes.

  • November 2003 - there was a most encouraging response at our Gift Day.

  • Autumn 2004 - we took the decision to phase the project so as to take steps forward.

  • Spring 2005 - Building For The Future became a reality with the completion of Phase 1; replacing the pews with chairs and new carpeting.

  • Summer 2006 Phase 2 was carried out - a disabled ramp, new front and side doors and new toilets (see pictures below) were installed.

  • Spring 2007- the pulpit went.

  • Summer 2007 - work on the new staging was carried out.

  • Summer/Autumn 2008 - New multimedia facilities are installed – i.e. digital projection and new PA system.

  • Summer/Autumn 2009 - New upstairs kitchen installed and refurbishment of downstairs. Carpet and nosings to all the three staircases

  • Autumn 2010 - Removal of the pipe organ (to create much needed ground floor storage space for equipment)

  • Spring 2011 - Creation of a much needed storage are where the organ used to be

  • Summer 2011 - Splitting of the vestry into two rooms; a quiet room and an office.

  • Autumn 2011 - New heating system.

At each stage we have felt that God has been leading us forward.

Where We Are Now

The Final Phase, may be possible in 2013/14:

- Re-carpeting and decoration of the main meeting area

 
Compare the artist's impression to the picture below.

The Ramp and New Look Entrance Lobby

(Both photographs below courtesy of, & © 2006, Rev Brian Harley)

The Ramp

The entrance lobby looking from the ramp doors

Compare The Difference Between The Two Pictures!

Was (Pre 2006)

Now (Post 2006)

Page Last Updated 26 January 2012