December 2002 - Evangelicals Now - Christian Newspaper

There it was on the corner as it had been for 120 years. Forbidding and off-putting to many, yet to neighbours it was an old and familiar friend. Was it open or not?

A sign high on the building read Providence Baptist Chapel. It was opposite Highbury Fields, the largest open space in Islington, one of the smallest of the London boroughs, and yet one of the most populous in the capital, situated in one of the most desirable streets in Islington.

The area was also one of the most conservationally sensitive in London. Property was extremely expensive and sought after, as in the mid-1990s Islington developed into a very select area indeed. For the rich professionals and media elite, this was the place to be. The church, which occupied the old chapel, called Geoff Gobbett to be pastor in 1998. The church had seen better days and wanted a fresh start with an evangelistic thrust. It seemed a daunting and intimidating challenge and it was! But what about this old, drab building that seemed to militate against any work done?

Turned down three times

Maurice Wade, the former secretary of the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East), and an elder of the church, had a burden. Could not the building be redeveloped and paid for by residential housing? Architects were appointed and plans drawn up. The council rejected these out of hand. Further plans were submitted. These also were rejected. Again our architects considered a totally new design. A third set of radically altered plans was submitted. These too were turned down out of hand.

The combined forces of the Islington Council, the Highbury Fields Residents Association, and the Islington Historic Buildings Trust, with all the political clout they could muster, refused in any way to allow the third set of plans to proceed, though these were clearly much superior to the previous sets submitted. It was decided to go to appeal and have a hearing before an Inspector of the Department of the Environment, with all the costs that would involve. We were so grateful to the AGBC (SE) for their underwriting of the substantial costs of this appeal, which was heard before H.M.I. in January 2000.

'You will not win'

An interesting conversation took place between Maurice Wade and a local neighbour who was an influential member of the Highbury Fields Residents Association. He also happened to be one of Her Majesty's Inspectors at the Department of the Environment, and one who would adjudicate at building construction appeals. He was precluded from being involved with our appeal, as his close proximity would have amounted to a conflict of interests. Nevertheless, he made the comment to Maurice: 'Do not waste your money by going to appeal. You will not win, of that you can be sure.'

People were praying

The hearing was quite dramatic and revealing. One great encouragement came after a comment was made by one of the objectors to the appeal to the effect that, 'Can't they just move as a church?' A Christian neighbour spoke up. 'How long have you lived in the area? This church has been here 120 years. Why should they move? Why don't you move instead?' she said. The silence was deafening. The delay in receiving the Inspectors' judgement was protracted. Geoff had sent out quarterly prayer letters and many people all over the UK were praying.

In the meantime, the small fellowship got stuck into evangelism, by way of a Drop-In Centre, which was held on a weekly basis in the church vestibule. This capitalised on the superb location of the church, and proved a great blessing. During the time the Drop-In was on, the vestibule metamorphosed and became a cafe! Our cakes became well known indeed! We found that the food, and non-threatening hospitality, disarmed the suspicious and cynical. Many gospel opportunities took place. Many friendships were made and the work began to be built up. The fellowship, which had seemed so small, frail, and vulnerable, took on a new lease of life. Folk were saved and added to the church. Later the work took on a new emphasis in outreach to greater Islington.

Further workers were added, sponsored by the AGBC (SE), as work began under the title of 'Islington Gospel Outreach'. Then in June 2000, the great news came through that the Inspector had found in our favour in every respect regarding the latest submitted plans. God had done wonderful things and it was as if the God of David had won a great victory over this secular Goliath. We were as men who dreamed!

The bankrupt builders

But from taking the plans from the planning stage to the reality of a new building takes time. From the time of the approval to the time church services closed down and demolition and construction began, was about nine months. Finance had to be sorted out. Tenders were placed and the builders, Cox Brothers, appointed. We vacated in March 2001 and found very suitable alternative premises for Sunday use. With no building in Highbury to use for evangelistic work during the week, we discerned that the Lord was pointing us to the streets. Open air preaching and street evangelism took place. The building was demolished. All seemed to be going well. Then, disaster!

On August 31 2001 the builders, Cox Brothers Ltd., went bankrupt! All building work was suspended. You could not avoid the site as it had a massive crane in the middle doing absolutely nothing! We had to write to the neighbours to explain the situation in order to retain their good will. All were sympathetic to us, which was a great encouragement. The Christian neighbour who spoke up for us at the appeal assured us of her prayers. Many joined her from all over the country. Negotiations took place and a new builder was appointed, Baxells Ltd., who has done a great job. The work was delayed from August 2001 to mid-November 2001.

One unexpected blessing came from this delay. An insurance bond, taken out before the bankruptcy took place, resulted in the project being compensated with the sum of £140,000! We see this as being from the Lord, as it has really helped the whole project financially. But calls upon this sum and more besides were suddenly made upon us. This reminded us of the spiritual warfare in which we are all engaged.
Another problem

It seemed such an innocent request to make of our neighbours. The chapel building was flanked on the right side by a small residential block of flats with a car park. In order that the new chapel building could be undertaken adequately, it was necessary that a request be made to the leaseholder for the use of a small strip of land measuring 40 feet by 6 inches. This was in the car park adjacent to the party wall, and would be needed for scaffolding. This would only be necessary for three months or so.

Negotiations took place. Yes, the leaseholders were prepared to allow that strip of their land to be used, but for a fee. This was £152,500! This worked out at £60.00 per square inch! Surely this qualified for the most expensive piece of real estate in the whole of the country! The leaseholders were serious! This off-shore company was prepared to ask this huge sum from a small church and charity in response to a reasonable request! Satanic opposition takes many and varied forms. It was extremely tempting to leak this story to the local press when Geoff had a photo call because an article was to be written about the new development! Wisely our Christian architect advised against this. We decided not to accede to their demands, and the builders began creatively to use the old chapel wall and incorporate it with the new. This was demanding in terms of building technique, and delayed the completion.

Opening the building

There will be a two-fold 'opening'; one to be held on December 7 2002 for believers and friends of Highbury Baptist Church to celebrate God's great faithfulness to us, The following week sees, God willing, the local neighbours and friends invited to a special evangelistic series of open evenings, concluding with an informal 'community' opening with a distinct evangelistic emphasis to be held on December 14.

We see great opportunities opening up for us in using the building in such a prime location, ideal for wise and discerning evangelism. We can't wait to get back to Highbury Place and begin sharing Jesus with all who pass by.

Regular prayer updates can be obtained from Geoff Gobbett, pastor of the church. His email address is geoff@nozy.freeserve.co.uk

A church against all odds

Highbury Baptist Church in London

Turned down three times

'You will not win'

People were praying

The bankrupt builders

Opening the building

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