The Way Ahead

We are on the brink of an exciting new chapter in the journey of the Methodist Community in Richmond. We as a worshipping people today are building on the vision, the effort and in particular the faith of those who have led and nurtured the Methodist presence in our town and dale over time. We seek to realise our Mission Statement, which witnesses to our faith, and to the service of our community in Richmond.

These words from our mission statement are at the very heart of what we seek to achieve: -
… to being 'a welcoming, modern, accessible, charitable, and very special multi use community space, available for local groups to meet, all in the presence of God.'

Planning the future of our building that sits at the junction of Dundas Street with Queen's Road, has taken some time. Now, having completed the initial consultation, we are at a stage where we can share our first proposals, revealing the shape and form of the new building. We have submitted to the Planners our Heritage Impact Statement on how our proposals enhance their setting, making a creative statement, while meshing seamlessly into the local conservation area. This is the very first stage in the process of seeking planning permission.

We can arrange for you to view the proposals and the consultation responses at the Church if this is helpful. However, you may find the accompanying two pdf downloads below useful. You will note that every suggestion is noted with either a response, or an indication of when it will be considered.

The Current Consultation 2025-26

We are currently finalising a second detailed consultation with end users of the building, as well as community organisations and representatives, to ensure that in addition to being the home for our faith activities, our building serves current and future social, wellbeing, cultural, civic and heritage -amenity needs.This current consultation is a crucial stage in our development, and we have been so grateful to those individuals and organisations who have given so much time and effort to advise and guide us. This information is vital in shaping not just the form of the future building, but the resources and its adaptability to the real needs of our community.

We want the building to be flexible, to accommodate many and varied uses. We also want it to be fully accessible throughout. This includes the Sanctury, the proposed Central Atrium, the activity rooms, services, storage and catering facilities.

In addition, the proposals address not just the shape and use of our premises, but also our vision for the long-term viability as a ''multi-purpose, carbon neutral 'special' place' fit for the 21st Century.

Above all whether people come to the premises for worship or other activities, we want it to be a light, attractive and interesting space, providing a warm, welcoming and joyful experience supported by the very best creative IT and other facilities.

This consultation is on-going, so if you wish to contribute or direct us towards experiences which will help us, please use this website to make contact. Your responses are vital to us, as we seek to answer the fundamental questions of the Funding Bodies we shall approach.

This journey, with all its frustrations, is both demanding and exciting, and we as the Vision group, are sustained by the prayerful commitment of the Church Community which has endorsed this project wholeheartedly.

Part of our Local plan

Richmond through the work of many who are interested in the future of our town, will be one of the very first to produce a Town Investment Plan. This is a very vital framework for guiding local investment and development going forward. We are therefore delighted that our project has been included in these proposals, highlighting its centrality to the future needs of the community. We believe we dovetail closely with those who are committed to aspirational, local projects alongside whom we shall seek funding.

Our Ecumenical Community

We are also thankful to our ecumenical partners in Richmond for their prayerful encouragement and we hope that we can together continue to support our community.

Moving Forward in 2026

We are guided in the project by our Architects 'Grid and Grain' of York, regarding the creative development of our building, and we are focused on the vital task of seeking funds. During this time we shall be engaging with those funding organisations that support projects like ours. Doing this with the continued wholehearted support of the church fellowship, and of our local community is so encouraging.

We have made such progress from those early steps towards a new vision, and we can begin prayerfully to focus on the realisation of these ambitions.  Already, we have raised funds to deal with some of the inherent structural concerns we have about the building, completed the securing of the Sanctury walls, as well as having addressed other site needs. Later, when we are ready to proceed with the redevelopment, we reassure those current users, that we shall do all we can to maintain continuity and minimise disruption and of course work with you in that process.

From those post pandemic anxieties which were experienced by all communities and organisations, we as a Methodist Church in Richmond have responded with courage, vision and with a confidence, borne of our faith in Christ. We can look forward to an exciting future with continued optimism.

However, look out for changes that are in progress now. These exciting new plans we hope are not just good for the Church itself, but also for our community here in Richmond.

More information about the changes planned will be posted here when available.