NEW CHURCH BUILDING PROJECT FOR WHITELEY

INTRODUCTION

WHITELEY is a new town in Hampshire. The origins of Whiteley Church began in 1995 where first services were held in local homes. Throughout the years, the church has grown from strength to strength and has gone through several moves of premises. Today with over 100 people on the church electoral register, Whiteley Church worships from Gull Coppice Community Centre, where it regularly holds Baptisms alongside its weekly Sunday morning worship. Weddings are also taken by the Minister but are conducted in neighbouring churches. Whiteley Church is a Conventional District within the existing parishes of Sarisbury and Titchfield; a step to becoming a parish in its own right.

NEW CHURCH PROJECT

We believe that God’s will is for a dedicated Church building in Whiteley. It is the aim of Whiteley Church to strengthen its role in the community, and promote Christian outreach in the area. The area cries out for a visual symbol of Christianity, and fittingly the land already set aside dominates the higher ground close to the busy main shopping area and the Tesco superstore. It would stand out as a focal point for the community. The eye catching design very much symbolises what the project stands for.

A Church for the 21^st Century, providing a base from which we can move forward together in hope and faith. It is an investment for the Community and the future of Whiteley.

Whiteley Church has strong ecumenical links and is actively working for these links to be strengthened in the future. Within the provision of the new building is the desire to enable it to be used across denominational divides thus providing a unity in relation to Whiteley’s Christian witness. Whiteley Church aims to reach out to the community of Whiteley, not only in the spiritual sense, but also by offering key facilities and activities for the people. The intention is to offer these facilities to local groups and organisations.

The site for the new building, in which Whiteley Church currently holds a long term lease upon the land, is ideally located within the growing heart of Whiteley, and in exceptionally close proximity to the village hub which includes shops and a large superstore. The prominent location of the site will not only herald a great visual Christian symbol, but will be perfectly located for obtaining maximum outreach through its visual exposure.

The Building:

COSTS

The new church building project is budgeted at £650,000. We are working closely with Sarum Partnership to ensure we create a building not only for the future, but one of sustainability and versatility. We aim to raise funds through a variety of means including congregational donations, many other church fund raising projects, as well as using funds previously raised. As a whole, members of Whiteley Church are working closely together to explore new fund raising ventures for this project.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Despite all of our hard fundraising efforts, we have a significant shortfall in funds before we reach our goal of £650,000. We are looking to involve the whole community of Whiteley to help us with our fundraising and awareness for the new church, and will be appealing to local businesses and charitable organisations.

If you would like to get involved with a fundraising event or help with new ideas, we would be very pleased to hear from you. We are actively seeking more people who can help spread the word for our project, or if you would like to make a donation, please see the contact details below.

Revd. Lorraine Snape / Revd. Gary Snape, 20 Sheridan Gardens, Whiteley, PO15 7DY

telephone: 01489 881500 Email: gary.snape1@ntlworld.com

Matthew Potts, 15 Andersen Close, Whiteley, PO15 7ER

telephone: 01489 588648 Email: mpotts4@hotmail.com