MAKING ROOM
More room in His house. More room in our hearts. More of what God is doing.
St John’s Church has been at the heart of the Copthorne community for generations. Our MAKING ROOM project is about caring for this much-loved building while preparing it to serve the church and wider community for generations to come.
The project will make the church warmer, more accessible and more flexible, while respecting the history and character of this special place.
What is changing?
As part of the project, we are planning to:
- Install modern infrared heating, providing more effective and flexible warmth.
- Create a new level floor, improving accessibility, comfort and warmth.
- Improve the entrance area, including a new glass inner door.
- Replace the existing pine pews with high-quality, upholstered, stackable chairs, giving us the flexibility to arrange the church in different ways for worship as well as other activities.
- Create additional storage for chairs, tables and other equipment, allowing the main church space to remain uncluttered.
- Relocate the baptism font, making it easier to access and use.
- Create a permanent kitchen/servery area at the back of the church, providing a practical space for refreshments and hospitality.
These changes allow our building to better serve worship, prayer, gatherings, community events, and the everyday life of the church.
Why are we doing this?
Our church building needs to serve many different purposes. Alongside our regular worship, it is used for prayer, pastoral care, Christian courses like Alpha, community activities, gatherings, concerts, children's and youth activities, and hospitality.
A more flexible space will make it easier to:
- welcome families with prams and young children;
- improve access for older people and those with mobility needs;
- create quieter spaces for prayer and pastoral care;
- gather for meals and refreshments;
- host community events, concerts and other activities;
- respond more easily to the changing community needs of our church and village.
Honouring the past, preparing for the future
We know that changing the church interior touches memories.
These pews have held generations of prayers and tears, baptisms and funerals, weddings and celebrations, Christmas services and ordinary Sundays. They are part of the story of St John’s, and that story matters to us.
Removing the pews is therefore not about removing our history. It is about honouring what has been while making room for what God is doing next.
We believe that the church is more than its furniture. It is a place where people encounter God, find welcome, build relationships and serve one another. We want to make sure that St John’s can continue to do that well for many years to come.
Making Room is about creating more room in His house, more room in our hearts, and more room for what God is doing.
Costs & How You Can Be Part of It
The estimated cost of the Making Room project is £175,000.-
This includes professional fees, and essential upgrades to ensure the space serves our church well into the future.
Donate as you are able, whether one-off or regular, spread the news.
If you would like to support the MAKING ROOM project, click here below: