Stoke Aldermoor Building Project
TFC is pleased to have worked in partnership with Mayway Construction and Coventry DBF to oversee the building of a brand new church and community facility. The new building was opened by the Bishop of Coventry in a joyous dedication service on the 1st October 2019.
On 25 March construction started on a new home for St Catherine’s Church in Stoke Aldermoor. The church congregation had previously been meeting in portakabins, after they had to move out of their old Church on St Catherine's Close. They can now celebrate a new building on Acorn Street in the heart of Stoke Aldermoor, which will serve the new Parish of St Catherine’s Stoke Aldermoor and New Century Park in Coventry.
With an ethos of 'everyone is welcome', St Catherine's has a positive impact on the community of Stoke Aldermoor with sessions for children and young people, a food bank and financial advice sessions. Now the church has its own purpose-built fully-accessible premises. The space is open throughout the week, and includes a multipurpose hall where the church can run Stay and Play groups and their Youth Café, as well as their Sunday services. The building also features an informal lounge/café, kitchen and toilets. Alongside this, there is a meeting room, a vestry for quiet prayer and an office.
The Design & Build scheme was undertaken by Mayway Construction Limited, a Coventry based business with around 30 years experience including building and refurbishing many churches. Building work took 26 weeks and was completed in September 2019.
Funding for the new building has come mainly from Diocesan LINC funds (for low income communities) supplemented by St Catherine’s own funds and support from a range of charitable trusts. These grants have been critical in paying for fitting out the new church with audio-visual equipment, equipping the café and informal meeting area, and paying for safety/security items.
Project oversight was provided by Together for Change Coventry & Warwickshire, on behalf of the Diocese of Coventry and St Catherine’s Stoke Aldermoor. TFC Development Worker John Scouller was project manager.
The City Council has allowed the portakabins to remain at the rear of the site for several more years, and they will continue to house the Foodbank and Proof Bakery, which is a social enterprise giving employment opportunities to refugee women. This part of the site will be developed further in phase 2.
Related Articles
'We are so grateful for all the support which has enabled us to have this splendid new building. We want it to be a sign of hope and commitment that God is here right in the midst of Stoke Aldermoor.'