A NEW community centre, hailed as a legacy for future generations, will be officially opened by the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton on June 22.
The Right Reverend Kieran Conry will lead a service at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Ladbroke Road, at 11am, before blessing the new facilities and unveiling a plaque.
Stalls will display work from the many groups and ministries within the parish, introducing the wider community to its different cultures and traditions.
The family-friendly event includes flower workshops, music, arts and crafts sessions and a raffle. Light lunches, cakes and refreshments will be on sale, with complimentary tea and coffee available.
The centre, which cost around £2million, is linked to the church via a walkway. The main entrance, a rotunda with a stained glass window, leads to a hall seating up to 400 people.
There is a kitchen, coffee bar, meeting room and separate St Joseph's Pre-school Playgroup, which was funded by the parish and has welcomed non-parishioners, subject to admissions criteria.
Father Chris Spain, moderator for the Parish of the Nativity of the Lord, also incorporating Holy Family Church, Reigate, and St Teresa's, Merstham, said the rotunda window provided a colourful welcome.
"The whole site has been a buzz, no longer with contractors and builders, but the excitement of people using the facilities for a whole variety of purposes," Fr Chris said.
"The comments have been extremely positive and I look forward to seeing the parish centre go from strength to strength."
He is delighted with the design and said the little private garden is a welcome addition to the presbytery.
"On warmer days with the presbytery windows open, there is also the lovely sound of children enjoying their pre-school facilities, which was an important part of the project," Fr Chris said.
"It is lovely to see the young people begin their school years, with a gentle introduction to coming together, in the grounds of their church, with their lovely new facilities."
Various parish and community events will be held at the centre, including talks promoting charities and groups such as CAFOD and the Merstham Easter Project, which provides a weekly free hot meal to people in need.
The Brownies, Reigate School of Ballet, mother and toddler groups, and young musicians are among the community groups already enjoying it.
The Tomei and Mackley Partnership designed the centre, and the Godstone based architects are also working on another one at Holy Family, which will be built later this year.
A £500,000 fundraising campaign aims to meet part of the build and maintenance costs of both centres.
"We are three Churches, three sites, but with a shared heart and mind," Fr Chris said.
To fundraise email fundraising@thenativityofthelord.org.uk
The Right Reverend Kieran Conry will lead a service at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Ladbroke Road, at 11am, before blessing the new facilities and unveiling a plaque.
Stalls will display work from the many groups and ministries within the parish, introducing the wider community to its different cultures and traditions.
The family-friendly event includes flower workshops, music, arts and crafts sessions and a raffle. Light lunches, cakes and refreshments will be on sale, with complimentary tea and coffee available.
The centre, which cost around £2million, is linked to the church via a walkway. The main entrance, a rotunda with a stained glass window, leads to a hall seating up to 400 people.
There is a kitchen, coffee bar, meeting room and separate St Joseph's Pre-school Playgroup, which was funded by the parish and has welcomed non-parishioners, subject to admissions criteria.
Father Chris Spain, moderator for the Parish of the Nativity of the Lord, also incorporating Holy Family Church, Reigate, and St Teresa's, Merstham, said the rotunda window provided a colourful welcome.
"The whole site has been a buzz, no longer with contractors and builders, but the excitement of people using the facilities for a whole variety of purposes," Fr Chris said.
"The comments have been extremely positive and I look forward to seeing the parish centre go from strength to strength."
He is delighted with the design and said the little private garden is a welcome addition to the presbytery.
"On warmer days with the presbytery windows open, there is also the lovely sound of children enjoying their pre-school facilities, which was an important part of the project," Fr Chris said.
"It is lovely to see the young people begin their school years, with a gentle introduction to coming together, in the grounds of their church, with their lovely new facilities."
Various parish and community events will be held at the centre, including talks promoting charities and groups such as CAFOD and the Merstham Easter Project, which provides a weekly free hot meal to people in need.
The Brownies, Reigate School of Ballet, mother and toddler groups, and young musicians are among the community groups already enjoying it.
The Tomei and Mackley Partnership designed the centre, and the Godstone based architects are also working on another one at Holy Family, which will be built later this year.
A £500,000 fundraising campaign aims to meet part of the build and maintenance costs of both centres.
"We are three Churches, three sites, but with a shared heart and mind," Fr Chris said.
To fundraise email fundraising@thenativityofthelord.org.uk
