The Villa cross project - b'ham
Project Detail
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6 December 2009
New Church Building at Birthplace of Villa
A major new 1000-seater church on the site of the birthplace of Aston Villa Football Club open its door this week for a three day launch celebration (Saturday December 12 – Monday December 14).
The New Testament Church of God in Lozells, whose previous building was demolished in autumn 2007, is set to open a new £5.2M building with a special dedication service to be held on Saturday 12 December at 2pm.
Designed by Paul Henry Architects and Project Managers Ltd and built by Midlands-based Adonis Construction Limited, the new edifice includes energy-saving features and all the mod-cons of a modern building. Funding for the project currently comes solely from members and friends of the church, representing a significant commitment and major investment by the community into the South Lozells area.
Given the history associated with the previous church building, expectations are understandably high for this new complex, located on Lozells Road. In 1874, members of what was then called Aston Villa Methodist Church, founded Aston Villa Football Club, and William McGregor, founding father of the Football League, was also a member of the church. Purchased by New Testament Church of God in 1962, they have maintained the pioneering spirit in ways of their own, establishing Ebenezer Bible Institute in 1963 – the first UK Bible School to be initiated by West Indians.
Then in 1975, Justin Lewis founded the legendary Gospel music pioneers, The Majestic Singers - widely credited as the first concert Gospel choir in the UK.
Cllr. Sybil Spence, Lord Mayor of Birmingham in 1996 and the first black Lord Mayor of a European city, is also a long-standing member of the church.
Not forgetting their pastor, Bishop Derek Webley, who having recently been elected as chair of West Midlands Police Authority, is not only their first independent member to be elected chair, but also the first African-Caribbean chair of any police authority in the UK.
Having spent more than 2 years without their building, Bishop Webley, who is only the fourth pastor of the church since 1962 says:
“We are pleased to be back in our home, in a new facility that will enable us to more effectively continue the 160 years of Christian witness on this site, and we shall endeavour to continue serving the community as best as we can.”
For principal architect Paul Henry and his team, who have already worked on a number of Midlands-based community projects, the finished church is the fruit of nine years’ hard work.
He said: “Throughout the entire project interaction with the community has been key. Situated in a prominent position on the border of Handsworth and Lozells, the church will doubtlessly be quickly embraced as an asset to the community and remain a real talking point”.
Adonis chairman Neville Clements could not agree more.
He said: “It’s taken 12 months to bring this project out of the ground and we are delighted with the end result. It’s exciting to work on a building that will have such a beneficial impact on so many people and we are sure it will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”
Such has been the response to news of the opening, that the dedication service, a free, ticketed event, is now full. Other activities during the weekend include the first Sunday service in the building at 10am on 13 December, followed by a Grand Celebration Concert that evening at 6pm, which features a reunion of The Majestic Singers and the launch of the 30th Anniversary edition of their 1979 album, ‘Free at Last’. Tickets are £5 and available on the church website. Finally, a community service will be held on Monday 14 December 7pm, which is a non-ticketed open event. For further details Tel. 0121 554 1358 or visit www.ntcg-handsworth.org.uk
Project DATA
Client
The New Testament Church of God
Location
Lozells, Birmingham
Project
New build church and community complex
Project Value
£4,150,000
Contract Type
Design & Build
Contract Period
46 weeks