Clarence Road Evangelical Church, East Cowes on the Isle of Wight is a small but very welcoming congregation of locals who meet in a 1930s church hall with Victorian anti-rooms, a larger church building having been demolished and turned into housing some time ago.
Church Growth Trust (CGT) were gifted the building nearly five years ago and have worked closely with the church to make improvements to the building. Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive met with the church in 2018 and discussed possible ways that CGT could help with a building project. He says, “I was so impressed with their level of faith in God and His provision. Even though they are not large in numbers or a wealthy congregation, they believed that God would provide for them with the work that was required to the property. And their faith has been rewarded.”
The present project has grown out of the need for wheelchair access and a better entrance. When Giles first visited, he was presented with a problem with no easy solution. He and John Quinlan, a consultant architect who works with CGT, concluded that access had to be formed partway up the hill to enter the meeting hall at the right level. Initial ideas of providing wheelchair access throughout the building were found to be too costly, but an affordable scheme concentrating on the hall and entrance area has been designed.
John Quinlan states, “I am sure that the scale of project for such a small congregation has been daunting, and no doubt demoralising as we worked on scheme after scheme, reducing down from the first ideas. But I have seen Clarence Road Evangelical Church being constant in their faith that, with sensible stewardship, they can rely on God to provide. The value of CGT’s support to the church and to me, the architect, has been considerable. Without it, I think the project would not have got off the ground.”
Funds for the project have come from sacrificial giving within the fellowship, help with architectural fees from Church Growth Trust and two sizeable grants from a closed Gospel Hall and another Christian charity. The unexpected timing and generosity of these has been such a blessing to the church.
After five years of planning, the project has started. A small firm of builders have been appointed; a firm where it is becoming apparent that the majority are Christians; another provision from God. The work started in January and will be completed in six more weeks. Not only will there be a new level and more welcoming entrance, fully accessible WCs, a new kitchen to serve the main meeting room/worship area and better lighting, insulation and carpeting in the worship area, but the rear three storey part of the building will have some essential repairs carried out as well.
