We want to build a small Annex to the side of the church that will house a  meeting room, office, new WCs and store and will provide a new  community café at the back of the church.

St Mark’s is a busy parish church with a congregation averaging 70 adults and 15 children each week. On a Sunday it is often filled with people, with up to three separate children’s groups in addition to services.  It is also a venue for a range of parish events and meetings, including a monthly film night, social groups and a community choir.  The church hall is used extensively by the local community, including Guides, dance groups, keep fit groups, and so on.

The proposed Community Café will be run by volunteers during weekdays, organised through the Church working with other charities and organisations including Age Concern, Cross Lane Hospital, and dementia charities, to provide a safe, warm, friendly and welcoming place to relax and meet others.  

The office will provide a base for the Family and Youth Worker and possibly a Parish Nurse, as well as providing an administrative centre for the parish.  

While the existing Church & Community Hall is already in use for meetings by a large number of local groups it does not have the capacity to host these new activities and additional meeting space is needed.

The new Annex will be linked to the church by a glazed entrance area.