It’s been a great start to 2023 for the congregation of St Gabriel’s in Kings Hill, with news that planning permission has been approved for their new church building.
Once completed, it will be the first new Church of England church built within the Diocese of Rochester for around 20 years.
Stephen Hoad, Director of Property for the Diocese said:
“The new place of worship will be an exciting opportunity to contribute a lasting legacy to the new and growing community of Kings Hill.”
Currently, without a permanent building, the congregation meets in the Discovery School and the Valley Invicta Primary School, Kings Hill, with other activities and outreach taking place in community venues around Kings Hill.
The new church building will stand on a site at the centre of Kings Hill, opposite the community centre and the Running Airman statue, next to a play park, within walking distance of all of the schools and a short walk from the village centre and business park.
This central location means it will be easily accessible on foot, cycle/scooter, public transport, and with plenty of nearby parking for those who need it. It also means that the congregation can continue walking to worship as they do now.
At the heart of the project is care for the environment, with the building designed to have as low an environmental impact as possible.
With an air source heat pump and up-to-date building techniques and materials, it is expected to have an ‘A’ EPC rating. The church is also committed to offsetting any environmental impact by replanting trees onsite and across the UK, and has expressed an ambition to apply for Eco-Church status once the building is constructed.
Designed to be a modern, flexible space, the Reverend Mark Montgomery, Mission Leader at St Gabriel's, says that the new building won't just be a place of worship, but a community space as well:
“The vision for the building is to create a place of community for all people. A community Hub at the heart of Kings Hill, where all ages, regardless of faith affiliation are welcomed at different times of the week, through the various community activities that we run.”
With planning now approved, Mark says that people can continue to support the building in three ways. through prayer, by joining the church community in its regular worship or at one of its community initiative, or by donating to the building fund.
More information can be found at: www.kingshillchurch.org.uk/building/