Building Project

The CLM building project began at the beginning of 2010, but the origins of this vision go back way further than that. For almost 12 years, the leadership have felt the strong impression that they should build a new premises for CLM, to host its church services and the conference centre. Different plans including extending the newly built welcome centre, the need to build a whole new complex were also discussed. After many years of talks and different plans being proposed, it was decided early in 2010 to commence with the current project.

These plans involved the construction of a 3 storey conference centre alongside a 650 seater auditorium. A lot of work was still going on behind the scenes, to draw up firm architectural plans as well as selecting the right building company for the project. Eventually the plans were confirmed alongside the decision to have Provision UK take on our building project. In these early months the congregation were shown an artist’s video impression of the new complex, and we were also introduced to the Directors of Provision UK. Mark and Simon came and shared their vision for the building, their passion was displayed in describing how Provision does not just aim to build, but to get alongside the church in the whole project.

Approaching the Spring of 2010, the building plans were submitted to the council. We had one objection from a local establishment, and the project was considered by the building committee at the Council. Some members of CLM attended this public meeting, where our building was one of the last plots to be discussed. After sitting through many discussions, with objections to different plans throughout the city, those in attendance sat nervously waiting for CLM’s turn. The conclusion of the discussions by the committee was not only would the building have full approval, they wanted the conference section to have an extra floor, to sit in line with building regulations which stipulate that it must be a certain height. We were pleased with this result, although it would be additional cost, it was an exciting element and something that the project has incorporated.

After  waiting for the archaeologists to complete the standard site search, Provision went ahead with the project. Over the past year we have seen a huge amount of work put in by many workers to bring to completion phase 1 of the project. At first the metal structure went up, followed by the floors and walls. At the end of September 2010, the whole church spent a Sunday morning going round the new building in small groups. There was a great excitement for what was going to happen. Not long after this, approaching the end of 2010 the conference structure was completed.

Early in 2011 work began on the inside of the building. Due to the high standard of finishing, there was again a great amount of work that went into this. Soon the tiles were going down on the floor, and the new café was starting to show life. In March 2011, the first phase was fast approaching completion. Towards the end of March, the church moved from the old building and started meeting in the new Welcome Centre. This was exciting time for all involved, and there was a great sense of anticipation for what was to happen in this new building. The church met on the third floor of the new building, and everyone was certainly starting to enjoy the drinks and cakes on offer in the new Café Life. 

Soon after this, the old building was beginning to come down. At first the internal aspects of the church were stripped away and not long after the building was demolished. It was an emotional time for many at CLM who had found salvation whilst in that building, been married there, baptised, seen children grow up there. But all agreed that the experiences of that building will most certainly be the catalyst for many more exciting times in the new building.

Soon after we moved into phase 1 of the new building, work started on the construction of phase 2. It was almost a matter of weeks where the metal structure was erected and the walls and floor were there. Again, a great deal of work by all those involved has seen phase 2 being built quickly, but to an extremely high standard. 

We have now moved into the new auditorium and we are enjoying our new surroundings. Take a look at details about the Grand Opening of the building.