Lancaster church begins work on £2.6m 'Heart of City' project

St Thomas Church has given Lancaster based construction firm Pinington Ltd the green light to start building work on its new church centre.
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Work on the project starts today, October 5, after Lancaster City Council gave planning permission for the project to go ahead last year.

There have been some objections to the project however.

The project was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but in June 2020, the church approached its congregation via a survey, to see whether they felt it was the right time to recommence the building work.

Work at the church starts today, October 5.Work at the church starts today, October 5.
Work at the church starts today, October 5.
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Two-thirds of the 250 people surveyed felt the work should proceed immediately, and the congregation pledged a further £436,000 including Gift Aid towards the project, which brings the total funds raised or committed to £2.5m.

The church has already spent £285,000 on preparatory work for the new centre, plus essential repairs to the church and steeple.

The total cost includinh essential works is now expected to be around £2.6m, so the church will continue with its fundraising and grant applications over the coming months.

The church said the plan for the new centre is to offer a much greater level of support to the community in Lancaster, and its vulnerable members, in an environmentally friendly, modern, multi-use building.

Jon Scamman, vicar at St Thomas Church, LancasterJon Scamman, vicar at St Thomas Church, Lancaster
Jon Scamman, vicar at St Thomas Church, Lancaster
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For example, the church plans to offer a listening/counselling service for people struggling with isolation, depression and anxiety.

It will offer a Christians Against Poverty life course, teaching money management and cooking skills, as well as other valuable services.

These will build on pastoral care services that St. Thomas already offers, such as support for the elderly and those with dementia, as well as many different activities already on offer for children and young people.

It said that for many residents in Lancaster and Morecambe, the economic outlook remains uncertain, so the congregation of St Thomas believe there is likely to be more demand now - than before the pandemic - for the services it hopes to offer.

An artist's impression of how the new centre will look.An artist's impression of how the new centre will look.
An artist's impression of how the new centre will look.
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Jon Scamman, vicar of St. Thomas Church Lancaster, said “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the church congregation who pledged an additional £436,000 in July, even in the middle of a pandemic.

"The church council voted unanimously in favour of the project going ahead at this time, and we are all excited about the services that we plan to offer from the new centre.

"Now seemed to be a good time to start the building work since the existing centre is not currently in use, because of pandemic restrictions.”

Work to clear the existing centre, with a sale of books and furniture, has now been completed, and a temporary office has opened in front of the main church, for any enquiries.

St Thomas Church, Lancaster. Image courtesy of Google Streetview.St Thomas Church, Lancaster. Image courtesy of Google Streetview.
St Thomas Church, Lancaster. Image courtesy of Google Streetview.
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St Thomas Church’s fundraising still continues and anyone interested in donating, or finding out about forthcoming events, can find more information on the website (www.st.tees.org.uk) or via the Heart of the City Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StTeesHeartOfTheCity/) or Twitter account (www.twitter.com/StTsHOTC).