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There is a time for everything,
     and a season for every activity under heaven:
     a time to tear down and a time to build.

The Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3 (NIV)

Opening

January 2006 saw the opening of our new back hall, which replaced the previous hall that had reached the end of its useful life. The old hall was last used in May 2005 before being boarded up ready for demolition. This meant that several of our activities (First Steps, Connexions, Friday Youth Club) had to cease until the new hall was ready. We held an open day on Saturday 28 January to allow people to look around and enable us to renew contacts with many folk.

On the next day (Sunday) we held a special service to dedicate the hall. Chris Mattock was the guest preacher. Chris and his wife Sarah were members at this church and Chris was baptised here before leaving to train at Regent's Park, Oxford. Following Chris' ordination in 1993, they went to Italy with the Baptist Missionary Society. They returned to England in 1999 when Chris became the minister at Datchet Baptist Church.

Delays

We had initially hoped that all the building work would have been completed during the Summer. However, due to changing the supplier, the new building was a few inches higher than the details on the original planning application. This was too much a difference and required a last minute resubmission for planning. Unfortunately, this added several weeks delay and work finally started in September.

Old Hall

The old cedar wood hall had been erected in 1984, but even then it was not new. It had come second hand from a hospital in Southampton. It also cost much less - we only had to pay for its transportation to Basingstoke. The site was prepared and foundations laid by volunteers.

Initially the hall was used for Sunday services until the main brick sanctuary was built and opened in 1986. After which, it continued to be used for Sunday School, youth work etc.

Finance

The total budget for the project was £350,000 which included contingency and professional fees. God has provided. Over £150,000 was given, mostly by members of the church congregation. The balance is being funded by a loan from the Baptist Union, to be repaid over the next 10 years. As well as finance, God also provided just the right people to oversee the project.

Future

The new hall allows us to continue our various areas of service to the surrounding community. But church is more than buildings, more than activities. We are here to also proclaim the Gospel - the Good News that Jesus rose from the dead, has bought us forgiveness and eternal life. The challenge now is how to make this known. Buildings are a tool, a base, to help in this aim.

updated 29 May 2006