Baptists plan for £1m new church

From the archive, first published Wednesday 29th Jan 2003.

Plans for a £1m building to replace the crumbling Headington Baptist Church have been submitted to Oxford City Council.

Designs for the church have been created by Milton Keynes-based architect David Grindley, who also works in the architecture department of Oxford Brookes University.

The Rev James Bloice Smith hopes the church, to be built on the site of the old one, in St Leonard's Road, and accommodate up to 200 people, will be approved.

Mr Bloice Smith said: "We can squeeze in 140 at the moment, but we are really pleased with the design for the new building."

The plans include more space for youth clubs and the mother and toddler group.

Mr Bloice Smith said: "The basement will be set out like a mini sports hall, and the toilets will be down there so we can keep the ground floor uncluttered.

"There will be a lift and disabled access," he added.

The church is appealing for help to raise money for the building.

"One hundred years ago the Baptist Church moved here from its original building in The Croft, where it started 50 years earlier," said Mr Bloice Smith.

"It then struggled to raise £400 for the project. Now we are renewing the building again and most of the money will have to come from the congregation."

Anyone who would like to help can call the church on 01865 432436.