PROJECT Gateway blog - SEPTEMBER 2025
NEW WINDOWS & BOILERS
It’s really exciting to see the progress being made by Ash over the summer! We now have the new Narthex windows and new boilers installed, plus lots more work.
Find out more below…
What’s been happening?
Here’s what’s been happening…. and take a look at the photos below to see how the work is progressing…
The new Narthex windows have been installed, and despite the fact that the glass has a protective cover over it, it’s already easy to see the impact they make, flooding the space with more light and opening the building up to the town centre.
Brickwork around the new windows is complete. The bricks and mortar used have been carefully selected to blend with the existing brickwork.
First fix works for electrical supplies and pipework continue across all floors.
Three new efficient gas boilers have been fitted in the cellar plant room.
Plastering and making good all walls in the café and bookshop is near completion.
Detailed plans for the lighting and AV in the Nave have been finalised.
Procurement of the café kitchen equipment, the new lift, air handling units and other key pieces of equipment is progressing.
The plan for the exterior finish on the Youth & Community Centre has been reviewed and a decision has been taken to pursue a brick facade, rather than a terracotta finish. It is hoped that this will deliver a saving to the project and tie in well to the existing building.
What’s happening next in the building?
Continuing on with first fix works for all the mechanical and electrical systems.
Carpentry works start.
Latest programme update…
Here’s the latest forecast of completion dates for different sections of the building:
November 2025 - Café and Bookshop open
Christmas 2025 - Nave & 2nd floor open before Christmas
Late February 2026 - 1st floor open
June 2026 - Youth & Community Centre opens
Overall, the project final completion date (June 2026) hasn’t changed but there has been some slippage in the opening of the Café and the Bookshop as a result of factors outside of both ChristChurch’s and Ash’s control. However, Ash are working really hard to minimise delays whilst still delivering high quality work.
We are starting to plan for moving back in to the Cafe, Bookshop and Nave, so look out for ways in which you can help out.
Coming up…
Vision On: To Gateway and Beyond on Tuesday 30th Sept, 7.30pm (at St Mary of Bethany), an evening to share the latest on Gateway progress and plans for returning to the building and to listen to God and pray together about where he's leading us from the New Year. All members (new and old) welcome!
Gift Day on Sunday 19th October 2025 to raise as much of the final £750k as we can so that any mortgage we take out on 4 Orchard Drive (the house we own) will be as small as possible. Please be praying about whether you could support the project further, or if you are new to Christ Church, could start giving to the project.
Where is church happening now?
You can find all the information you need on where to find Offsite Church by clicking this link and on our FAQs page.
Find out more
If you want more information about the project, or to find out how you can support it financially, take a look at our Gateway pages on ChristChurch’s website, or you can chat to any of the members of the team: Adrian Beavis (Vicar), Steve Roberts (Project Leader), Walter Coxon (Finance), Mike Pearce (Technical), Peter Wichmann (CCW building knowledge and expertise), Rachael Purvis (Project Coordinator). If you’d like to email us with a specific query you can do so at this email address: gateway@ccwoking.org.