Vision21
For over a century, our church has provided a central meeting place for people who have chosen to follow the founding principles of a very practical Christian faith – Methodism.
It is our responsibility to give pastoral care, welcome and nurture to those searching for spiritual nourishment as well as serving others in need. Our core principles were set by the founder of Methodism, the Reverend John Wesley.
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can
In all the ways you can, In all the places you can
At all the times you can, To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.”
In 1886, the then members of Broad Street Methodist Church had a vision to build a new chapel in Spalding and in a little over a year their dream was realised.
And as Methodists, we still continue to play a vital part in everyday life in Spalding. Our building is a central gathering place for a wide range of community activities but was in need of extensive repair and renovation. So in September 2012 a project was launched to enhance the flexibility and quality of our Grade II listed building - a project we called Vision21.
Vision21 is to safeguard the architectural heritage of our beautiful Church, as part of Spalding's legacy.
Vision21 is laying the foundations of our vision for coming generations, sustaining Methodist worship for the next 100 years and beyond.
Vision21 is to see the continuation of a welcoming and inclusive worshipping church that serves the wider community.
Phase 6 (Stable Development) is the only area from the original plans still outstanding. Vision21 was also about the people and the activities. These are the aspects that are now in focus.
Vision21 Building costs
2013 Church re-roofing - £144,000
2014 Blue room, stable - £17,000
2015 Church interior - £235,000
2016 Vestry reroof and Church repointing - £65,000
2018 New Kitchen - £24,000
2020 Foyer, toilets, hall repairs - £239,000
2021 New boilers - £25,000
Professional Fees - £69,000
Total Cost £818,000
VAT paid but almost all reclaimed through Listed Places of Worship Scheme
VISION 21 TIMELINE
2005-07
amalgamation discussions between Methodists, URC and C of E but no solutions found
2008
Broad Street decide to stay on site and refurbish
members hold a “dreams your dreams” day
establish a clear vision to refurbish
steering groups formed (mission, finance, buildings)
2009
Vision21 is born and a single steering group created
consultation with user groups and wider community
architects visited and PDG appointed
business plan completed and grant applications begin
feasibility study presented and approved
phased approach to be taken
2010
listed building and planning consents applied for
2011
all consents given
quantity surveyor estimate received £700,000+vat
2012
English Heritage grant for church roof (68k)
Vision21 launch weekend
phase 1 reroofing tenders received
Pearce Roofing Services accepted (140k)
2013
phase 1 reroofing completed and building secured
2014
essential works to blue room, stable, vestry, and repointing completed
tenders sought for remaining work
church interior and hall affordable - not foyer
2015
pews removed and new interior completed in September by Lindum (235k)
“A New Beginning” church re-opening and rededication service
2016
steering group becomes finance & property committee
architect reappointed to prepare plans for remaining phases
2017
Spalding Methodists unite
St Thomas’ road closed and sold
plans for foyer, upgraded toilets and redecorating hall agreed and planning approval obtained
tender for new kitchen accepted (25k)
2018
work on new kitchen completed March
Foyer Scheme (phase5) approved as a replacement project using funds (150k) from sale of St Thomas’ road
2019
Foyer tenders received
Pearce Roofing Services appointed (239k)
work started September, held up by coronavirus lockdown, finished October 2020
2021
new boilers fitted (25k)
alarm system, cctv and digital service equipment installed
The £818,000 cost has been met through reserves, donations from members, former members and others associated with Broad Street Methodist Church (£388,000). We have been fortunate to benefit from financial help from within the wider local community alongside that of our local Methodist Circuit and District (£120,000). We have benefitted from obtaining a number of grants and other gifts as well as receiving match-funding for the new interior furnishings (£135,000) plus £175,000 transferred after closure and sale of St. Thomas’s Road Church.
A small group of members have organised quizzes, concerts, garden parties, games evenings and busily arranged sales, feasts and even banquets to raise funds. In addition, we have managed to publish two booklets about our church and these collective efforts have raised in excess of £40,000.
We are extremely grateful for all the hard work and generous response to our appeal – without it we would not have been able to reach this significant milestone. It brings us great joy that we have been able to secure the architectural heritage of our beautiful church and know that we are upholding the strong Methodist principles for the coming generations in South Holland.
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"
Philippians 1 v 6
The gallery below shows photos of Broad Street prior to the start of the Vision21 project.