St John's is a Christian community based in Penge that does so much for the community, especially people in need of support. Yet, we are held back by a building that was not designed for a modern community-focused church.

Over 500 people use our church building during a typical week. 

In addition to Sunday and other special services, we run: 

* Little Fish - Toddler groups twice weekly

* Big Fish - Saturday morning toddler group monthly

* a Food Bank 

* a Christians against Poverty (CAP) debt advice centre 

* support groups for those with needs related to mental health, homelessness, addiction and unemployment

We host:

* Special events e.g. Spring Fayre, Job Fair

* Community services e.g. Christmas carols and service of remembrance for the recently bereaved 

We provide a venue for :

* Weekly school music lessons

* Weekly Forest School sessions

* Dance and Zumba classes

* NCT groups 

* Local community meetings

* Hire for parties and events

We want to do even more but we don’t have the space or compliant facilities to take on more events and services for the community of Penge. To do so, our building needs development. We have applied for funding for ongoing repairs to the church, but we need additional support to turn our plans for a safe place that meets the needs of the people of Penge into a reality.  

We are looking to provide:

 · Additional flexible self-contained meeting/hall spaces for church and community use and external hire, with full disabled access 

· Church worship space 

· New toilets, including disabled facilities, and suitable baby-changing area 

· New kitchen fitted to semi-catering standards 

· Self contained café area 

· Upgraded, efficient, effective heating    

All our running costs are met by the generous giving of church members, but to complete this project for the benefit of the church and the local community, additional funds are needed.