O God who set before us the great hope
that your kingdom shall come on earth,
help us now as we seek to build
a place for community and its concerns,
a home for worship and spiritual life,
and a beacon to reflect your love in Seasalter.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
There has been a church in Seasalter for well over a thousand years. In more recent times the church has grown, with new congregations moving out from the tiny Old Church to Joy Lane School and to the Christian Centre on Faversham Road. The Old Church itself continues to be a much loved place of worship, and will remain so.
Seasalter itself has also been growing steadily, with layers of new housing now reaching right up to the Thanet Way. Yet, there has been little provision of the kind of facilities which build community life.
In 2006 we believed that the time was right to build a new centre for the community, which would provide not only for the church's needs but be a resource for all the people of Seasalter and beyond. A meeting place available to those who work to create the support and belonging which we all wish for, but which is so easily lost in our culture.
In addition to accommodating children and young people's groups in more modern and spacious accommodation, the new building offers an enlarged worship space with room for the church to continue its growth. New users are anticipated from the health and social service sectors in addition to those already based at the Christian Centre. The new Christian Centre opened at Easter 2007.
In summary the new Christian Centre offers - activities for children and young people - support for families - care and friendship for the elderly - resources for community health, education and welfare.
The project has cost over £900,000 and has been funded by gifts from within the church family of St Alphege together with grants from outside bodies. For St Alphege, Seasalter, raising the money has been a most challenging prospect. But we have been inspired by the vision to share God's love and hospitality with our community.
Construction work started in June 2006 and the new building hosted its first service on Easter Sunday 2007. Over 400 people attended the first service and many new faces have attended subsequent services.
If you would like to offer your support or contribute to the ongoing building management in any way, please call the Project Hotline on 01227 265291, contact Ann at annfle@aol.com or write to the Vicarage at the address below. To find out more about giving in a structured and tax efficient way please follow the link.
