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AoG aims high in Nottingham

One of the biggest church construction projects in the UK for many years has been given the green light in Nottingham – and it’s for an Assemblies of God fellowship.

The Christian Centre on Talbot Street, led by Senior Pastor David Shearman, is planning a landmark facility with a 100-metre high spire in the shape of a cross that will make a fantastic addition to the city skyline.

And now, after believing God for the site and planning permission, the 1,000-strong congregation is facing the mammoth task of financing the £10-million plus project.

The congregation currently has to squeeze into their 450-seater hall with three services each Sunday, but the planned new building will have an auditorium able to seat 1,800 people, and other facilities on six floors. The old building will continue to house the church offices and be used as a secondary meeting venue for the foreseeable future.

Besides enabling the expansion of the church’s activities, the vision is for a building that will make a statement to the city that Christianity is alive and well. Hence the decision to include a giant 100-metre-high spire! As the development site is located on the highest ground in the city centre, the spire will be seen for many miles around.

And the new complex will serve the city as much as the congregation – particularly in its ability to be used as an international conference facility. The complex will comprise exhibition space, seminar rooms and catering facilities, in addition to the large auditorium – making it ideal for conferencing. Local people will also benefit from a children’s day-care nursery, catering for parents who work in the area, a coffee bar and other practical uses of the building.