Parish centre for sale as transformation project gets underway

The two-story detached building was built circa 1920 to provide church accommodation for the then Rector.

In more recent times, the centre has been used as a community facility, and the sale of the property will assist the church with plans to create a new church hall and community centre.

Following the sale, some activities currently held at the parish centre will be transferred to St Mary’s, the Grade I listed medieval church located across the road.

The decision to sell the Centre comes as planning permission has been granted to build a stunning new church and community hub in the churchyard.

The plans, which are in keeping with the beauty of the historic church, include a large well-equipped hall on the ground floor, an upper room, professional standard kitchen, toilet facilities and a crèche.

The facilities will be available for hire by community groups, schools and for private hire including weddings.

The churchyard will be redeveloped with new entrances and lit pathways, to provide a safe and attractive route for pedestrians to and from the Broadwater shopping parade.

Brian Smith, chairman of St Mary’s Broadwater Reordering Committee, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that planning permission for the new facilities has been approved and the development will form part of our longstanding vision to move forward and provide modern services to benefit the whole community as well as the church family.

“The project has been carefully planned to ensure we safeguard the church’s thousand-year history and also provide much needed facilities to help in sharing the Gospel for many generations to come.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point and we are delighted with the support shown by the Broadwater community and Michael Jones and Company.”

The project is dependent on the sale of the parish centre, which has recently been launched to market.

Jon Justice, assistant manager at Michael Jones Commercial, said: “The site presents interested parties with a variety of options, from continued use, through to commercial redevelopment.

“We are pleased to support the parish on their journey to transform St Mary’s for the good of its church members and the community.

“Interest in the centre has been high and we encourage interested parties to get in touch as soon as possible to discuss this opportunity.”

This is the latest phase in a series of improvements which have been made to St Mary’s.

The Broadwater community as a whole has joined with the church family in providing support.

Although a large part of the costs involved in the project will come from the sale of the parish centre, a fundraising page has been set-up to raise the additional funds needed to support the build of the new facilities: mydonate.bt.com/charities/broadwaterpccstmarysreorderingfund

For queries relating to the sale of the parish centre, contact Jon Justice at Michael Jones on 01903 201212.