Rev Paul Harcourt and Jacui Kean in the new atrium

Woodford Green church opens £5million extension

Jessica Earnshaw, Reporter Sunday, October 14, 2012
11:30 AM

A church has had a chance to show off its £5million extension, which includes a new children’s annex and coffee shop.

The new atrium at All Saints' church

All Saints’ Church, Inmans Row, Woodford Green opened its doors to the public last week after the work, which was started two years ago, was completed.

The new building contains offices, a pre-school, a sensory room for children with special needs, conference rooms and a cafe which has already proved extremely popular.

Rev Paul Harcourt said: “We received some grants and raised some money through property sales, but £4million was raised by the congregation.

“More than 500 families pledged money and it’s hard to thank those people enough for what they have done.”

The church, which has the largest Anglican congregation in the borough, hopes the new annex will help to connect the church with the local community.

Administrator Joy Hawkins said: “The new space was built on the old car park and it is absolutely marvellous. We hope it will be used by all.

“The coffee shop which has been open around six weeks is already very popular.”

As part of the project, the church also raised around £150,000 which will be divided between churches in Kenya and Chile as well as a safe house for street children in Brazil and Haven House Children’s Hospice.