300 year-old Church is moving to a new Church and Community Centre.
We began with all the problems of an old building and nowhere to grow. Now, around twenty years later, we have a new site on Offenham Road, about 2,500 new neighbours on the Orchards and other nearby estates, enough money to proceed with building – possibly starting during 2023 – and the support of the Wychavon planning committee, Evesham Town Council and a great many people in the town. As a fellowship of Christians, we thank God for His provision which began to emerge when an elderly lady, who left Evesham a long time ago, left us around 4.5 acres of horticultural land in her will. You can read more of that story in the History link.
There were no housing estates then but we were convinced that God knew and wanted us to share what we have been given with our neighbours and our town. The new building will be a home for the church but we want it to be a home for the community and our neighbours too. Like us, residents of the Orchards, Alderton Lodge, Lavender Fields and Cotswold Rise estates, as well as the many older properties in this part of town, have had to head into town to other old facilities to meet with one another, to house their organisations and leisure activities and to share a coffee. Our aim is to welcome you to an alternative, modern, well-equipped, flexible suite of rooms; from café, to meeting rooms, spaces for children’s and family events, conferences and concerts, all close to where you live. There will be quiet spaces too and pleasant green surroundings, and we hope you will join us for times of worship and reflection as we aim to set the tone for Evesham’s ’build better‘ era.
Thank you to all who have supported us through the Planning phase and the funding campaign. We have now added to that: £40,000 expected from Wychavon, a grant of £58,000 from Ecclesiastical Insurance’s AllChurches Trust, £39,000 from John Martin’s Charity, £80,000 from several other national trusts, and almost £1 million donated or pledged since 2009 by members and friends of Evesham Baptist Church. We were finally able to appoint a Building Contractor when Baptist Building CIO agreed to an interest-free loan of £400,000 most of which was repaid when we agreed the sale of our Cowl St Premises. Modifications to the original approved Planning Applications were approved late in 2022, with grounds remaining available for further possible expansion in the future. After years of planning, praying, and perseverance, ground was broken on the new site on 21st November 2022.
Seen here at the site are the Minister, Revd Dr Edward Pillar (centre), Trustees, other members of Evesham Baptist Church, Claire Goldthorp of Allan Joyce Architects and the Barnwood construction team.
Revd Edward Pillar said, “The Church and Community Centre is all about people and God’s care for them. The church will worship here, welcoming and working with the local community. There will be a café, meeting and activity spaces for all ages, a well-equipped kitchen, a dedicated prayer space, and an auditorium which can meet the needs of music, drama, and other groups.”
Barnwood Director Gus McKenna said, “The company are proud to announce that we have been awarded the contract to build a new Church Community Centre for Evesham Baptist Church which will shortly start to rise from a former orchard.”
Allan Joyce’s Senior Architect, Claire Goldthorp explained: “We have been working closely with Evesham Baptist Church to create a beautiful new building that acts as a gateway to this new area of Evesham. The design fulfils their wishes to provide a welcoming place of worship with community at the core.”
The site is adjacent to Heather Fields, Bromford Housing’s affordable housing development which was also a key part of the planned development by the church over the last sixteen years.