Broadstone Methodist Church

No need to abandon your faith when you enter Broadstone. Most religions are catered for.

The Methodist Church has stood in Broadstone for over 110 years. Over the years it has had several additions and alterations. It has increasingly involved itself in relating Christianity to the Community and to the problems of living in Britain in the twenty first century. At the beginning of a new millennium its members see their Church as a building where God is worshipped, they are trained for service, and one of the places where their Christianity is expressed in serving the Community.

Early in 1997 we had a series of Vision Days when we took stock and considered how we should be moving forward. We had a growing Church, we were unable to meet the growing demand from Community Groups for use of our premises let alone our own Worshippers and organisations, and we had no proper facilities for the disabled.

We were daunted by the ensuing advice from two independent advisers re adapting our building They strongly advised that the only sensible option was to demolish our present premises and do a total rebuild.

Through a link with Help the Aged who supplied a professional Fundraiser, we set about completing a Feasibility Study. This not only confirmed our initial impressions about the local needs but also both identified other far reaching needs and other groups/organisations willing to co-operate with us. We thus embarked on an exciting programme of planning, fundraising and praying. The unfolding story is exciting and continues.

We engaged an architect and eventually agreed a brief with him for:

• a Worship area seating 250 which will double up as an auditorium
• a Prayer Chapel and Church Office
• a Larger Coffee Lounge
• a main large hail and kitchen capable of serving up to 150 lunches a day
• Smaller meeting rooms.

Supported by Voluntary, Statutory Bodies and individuals, as a Church we see the need and the opportunity to complement existing provision for the elderly, the isolated, educational groups, Parent and Toddlers, Children and young people. The possibilities are endless and we see the building as facility to be used by the whole community.

The cost will be in the region of £1.3 million. You can see why we thought the task was daunting! Our Architect estimates that approximately 40% of the total cost is for that part of the building which is primarily for Church use, and the other 60%, for the part primarily for community use. Of course the actual building is not divided up like this, and all parts will be available for both community and church use at appropriate times. At present we have a shortfall of £140,000.

We held the last services in the old building on 9th June. We hand the site over to the Contractors on 24th June. We are advised that the rebuild will take twelve months. During that time we shall be worshipping at 11.15am on Sunday mornings at St. Nicholas's Corfe Mullen, and at 6.30pm with our friends at Broadstone URC Church. The various groups are dispersed at a variety of venues but please note especially that our ever popular Coffee Mornings will be continuing at the Leisure Centre. Details of where the Groups are meeting will be posted outside our site. If you feel that you want to be associated with any of the many possibilities our new facility will offer to the residents of Broadstone, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Robert G. McBain Tel 693662.

Archive Summer 2002 | next

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