Church of the Holy Nativity, Chapel House
Community Website
OUTSIDE IN : an UNFOLDING STORY...
NOW OPEN! The Holy Nativity PARISH CENTRE and COMMUNITY PEACE GARDENS
The building work associated with the Holy Nativity'Outside In' Project was completed in March 2011. (See below for details). The new Parish Centre now provides meeting rooms, community kitchen, office, drop-in and other facilities.
The Community Peace Gardens were completed in summer 2012 and officially opened at the Jubilee Garden Party on 3rd June 2012. (See below for details)
The Church and Parish Centre and the surrounding Peace Gardens are available for community use. Residents are welcome to enjoy the facilities and to help in their upkeep. The Church, Parish Centre and Gardens are open most days.
The Holy Nativity Community Project
'Outside In' was launched in 2007 and aims to upgrade and refurbish the church to make it a versatile, accessible, welcoming and sustainable community resource for the next 30-40 years and also to build an annexe to replace the condemned church hall with improved facilities.
The building of meeting rooms, community kitchen, office, drop-in and other facilities will offer the community new space for a range of social, spiritual, recreational, creative and educational activities.
Grants have now been received from 20 charitable trusts and organisations including £500,000 from Big Lottery. Local funding appeals have raised over £175,000. Information is available in the Thanks section below.
Regeneration Group. The church is working alongside North of Tyne Primary Care (NHS) Trust, the local GP Medical Groups, Ashley House plc (developers for the medical centre), the City Planning Department, Dementia Care Partnership and local Ward Councillors towards the regeneration of the central amenities site in Chapel House.
'Outside In' is Holy Nativity parish's contribution to the development plans and has the support of CHADCA, Knop Law and Milecastle Primary Schools, the Councils of Denton, Newburn and Westerhope Wards and Ward Partnerships, Newcastle Council of Faiths, local Scout and Guide groups and a variety of other local residents groups.
Architects for 'Outside In' development: Spence and Dower.
Welcome to Newcastle City's first Community Peace Garden!
Patrons: Rt Revd Martin Wharton CBE, Bishop of Newcastle
Dr Hari Shukla OBE, Resident and initiator of Newcastle City for Peace.
This project is supported by Milecastle and Knop Law Primary Schools, All Saints College, Walbottle Campus, Newcastle Council of Faiths, and many local community groups.
Initial funding came from The Ballinger Trust and funds to complete the work is being provided by SITA (the landfill organisation) - the good news of our successful bid came in December 2011.
Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle have helped the church and community members to design the gardens around the new buildings. 
Groundwork is a national organisation which supports local community groups to access funds and works with them to create valuable outdoor community space, such as 'Green Gym'. They are supported by local government and the lottery. Groundwork assisted us with planning, and collecting ideas from local people.
Open Event: Knop Law School - Monday 4th October 2010
This was attended by about 100 people. An art competition 'Design a Garden' received 96 entries from local schools children. Prizes were awarded for some of the best. The ideas have helped us to design the 'Peace Garden'.
Newcastle Council Horticultural Services were contracted to complete the garden work, designed by Leeming Associates with ideas contributed from local residents and school children.
A Peace Scupture was comissioned from Graeme Mitcheson and carved seating from Jill Brewster.
JUBILEE GARDEN PARTY and opening of Community Peace Gardens!
Sunday 3rd June 2012 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm
Official Opening Ceremonies at 1.00 pm
Our Patrons, Rt Revd Martin Wharton CBE, Bishop of Newcastle
Dr Hari Shukla OBE, planted a commemorative Peace Tree. [This apple tree has subsequently provided the fruit for a vast apple crumble feeding 30 people!]
From 12 noon, the Gardens, Church and Parish Centre were open with food, stalls, activities, displays, games, music and dance. Thanks go to the many community groups who supported and facilitated the event. Over 500 people attended.
At 2.30 pm there was a short Thanksgiving Service in church, attended by 160 people.
The event was attended by leaders of other faith communities, Mr Nigel Sherlock, the Lord Lieutenant, Rt Revd Martin Wharton, Bishop of Newcastle, Catherine McKinnell MP, and local councillors.
A new Peace Sculpture was commissioned especially for the garden, which shows symbols of peace. The artist is Graeme Mitcheson, the local sculptor who also created the Bobby Robson memorial sculptures near St James' Park.
Words for Peace also feature in the garden, carved by Jill Brewster, who has also worked at the Grange in Throckley.
A Play area is designed with images drawn by local children in the 'Design a Garden' competition.
Wild flower areas are included in the gardens to support bird and insect life.
Thanks go to the Ballinger Trust and SITA for their invaluable sponsorship of the garden project.
Thanks also go to Councillor Marc Donnelly of Westerhope Ward for his tireless and active support of this and many community projects.
Rt Revd Martin Wharton CBE
Bishop of Newcastle
Patron of the 'Outside In' Community Project and Community Peace Gardens.
Community Based Patrons
Mrs Lynn Rae - Headteacher, Milecastle Primary School
Mrs Pauline Dutton - Headteacher, Knop Law Primary School
Dr Hari Shukla OBE - Chapel House resident and initiator of 'Newcastle City for Peace' (pictured right).
The building work is now complete, thanks to many people locally and also generous grants from charitable trusts and Big Lottery. Thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way - please see Thanks below
Visitors to the site have been impressed with progress. We have been delighted to welcome on site a group of students from All Saints College, also our Patron, our MP, our Partners in the Regeneration Group and our local Councillors. Click here to see photos
Help bring the project to life
The new Parish Centre is officially opened on Sunday 15th May at 4.00pm by the Rt Revd Martin Wharton Bishop of Newcastle and Patron of the project. Photographs will follow.
Holy Nativity Community Peace Gardens: Design work his in progress using ideas from local people. If you would like to buy a bulb, a plshrub or a seat for the garden, please ask at the church office.
Well-Being Cafe: organised by Dementia Care Partnership. Every month on the second Wednesday from 6.00 to 8.00pm. (Starts Wednesday 8th June.)
New Groups are welcomed to use the Parish Centre. For details ask at the church office.
The Memory Book of names submitted during the 'Buy a Brick' and 'Dorcas' Appeals will be in the Rainford Room soon.
The Church Chair Dedication Book is in Church
Being a 'FRIEND of HOLY NATIVITY' is a good way to support the project. Ask the church office for details
The new Parish Centre is open. Photographs will follow.
You are invited to 'Come and See' on....
Monday 28th February: 10.00-12.00am Coffee.
Tuesday 1st March : 5.30- 7.00pm Information for User Groups.
Wednesday 2nd March: 10.00-12.00am Coffee.
Friday 4th March: 10.00-12.00am Coffee.
Holy Nativity Community Peace Gardens... watch the space! Design work has begun. Final funding is needed.
The new Parish Centre is preparing for hand-over.
You are invited to 'Come and See' on....
Monday 28th February: 10.00-12.00am Coffee.
Tuesday 1st March : 5.30- 7.00pm Information for User Groups.
Wednesday 2nd March: 10.00-12.00am Coffee.
Friday 4th March: 10.00-12.00am Coffee.
Holy Nativity Community Peace Gardens... Many local people are involved in this project. Some funding is in place and design work is about to begin.
Snow in November! Just as everything was going according to plan, the weather halted progress. Inside is taking shape.
Services of worship are currently in Knop Law Primary School (Sundays at 10.00am) and St John Vianney (Thursdays at 9.45am).
Holy Nativity Community Peace Gardens... about 100 people attended the open event. See above for more details.
Click here to see more photos.
The roof is almost complete! The room spaces have been blessed.
Services of worship are currently in Knop Law Primary School (Sundays at 10.00am) and St John Vianney (Thursdays at 9.45am).
Holy Nativity Community Peace Gardens... we welcome your ideas. See above for more details.
Work is well underway! STP Construction Ltd are transforming the site by the day.
Services of worship and other events will continue thanks to the good will and generosity of St John Vianney, Milecastle and Knop Law Primary Schools, the Turnpike and the local Scout Association. Information about services of worship, events and meetings - including venues - will be posted on the church site hoardings, on Community notice boards, in George's hardware shop and on this web-site.
New Project launched: Holy Nativity Community Peace Gardens... we welcome your ideas. Open event coming up soon!
Work has begun! Welcome to STP Construction Ltd who will be working with our architects to transform the church and build a new community annexe.
Services of worship and other events will continue thanks to the good will and generosity of St John Vianney, Milecastle and Knop Law Primary Schools, the Turnpike and the local Scout Association. Information about services of worship, events and meetings - including venues - will be posted on the church site hoardings, on Community notice boards, in George's hardware shop and on this web-site.
Last Minute Miracles! In May the final funding to secure this project for the community came from three generous sources: the members of the congregation who within 2 weeks collectively donated an amazing £20,000 and also from Winchester Diocese and from Garfield Weston Foundation who responded to the congregation's efforts by donating a total of £35,000.
A huge THANKYOU to everyone concerned.
Funds are still needed for furnishings, equipment and garden development. Please help!
Progress continues despite delays caused by winter weather and illness!
If all goes to plan, the church will close shortly after Easter when construction work begins on site.
Services of worship and other events will continue thanks to the good will and generosity of St John Vianney, Milecastle and Knop Law Primary Schools, the Turnpike and the local Scout Association. Information about services of worship, events and meetings - including venues - will be posted on the church site hoardings, on Community notice boards, in George's hardware shop and on this web-site.
Project Progress!
The planning process for the church project building is well underway, also preparations of details to go to tender. Funding will hopefully be enough to allow the new building development to begin in February/March 2010. By the end of the year the new Parish Centre and the 'Outside In' Project should be up and running alongside the refurbished church. The new community rooms will be accessible independently of the church so that a variety of activities can happen at the same time.
The latest plan from the architects shows the new Parish Centre development shaded in blue to distinguish from the existing church in pale purple. The corridor between the two will provide access from the front, back and side of the centre, with access into the community gardens from the Community Meeting Room and Rainford Room. See the Detailed Plan and the simple Colour Plan of the new development.
More Good News! The Medical Centre Business Plan now has full approval from the Primary Care Trust. This means that the clinic can now be purchased by the developer and new plans submitted for approval by the city planning department. Plans will be available for public viewing very soon. Construction of the new Medical Centre should begin in the first half of 2010.
Dementia Care Partnership will have some rooms inside the new medical centre and will work closely with the church, the doctors and community groups to develop and provide support for people in the area.
Community Garden Project. This will be developed in the new year with the help of community groups.
Chapel House Projects face new changes!
Unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control have brought new challenges in the 11th hour of progress. The Regeneration Group* is working hard to resolve the difficulties and to ensure that the Integrated Medical and Community Initiative for Chapel House goes ahead in the new year.
Dementia Care Partnership has had to withdraw plans for the day unit.
This has been a very difficult decision resulting from recent national government changes relating to funding for adult care. Care providers such as DCP face difficulties associated with sources of funding and budgeting. DCP will continue to work with the GPs and the church to develop new services. We hope that DCP will have some room in the medical centre for consultations and meetings.
Medical Centre and Church submit new plans
The removal of the day unit link between the medical centre and church community buildings means we have to submit new plans. Ashley House plc (developer for the medical centre) and Holy Nativity are working closely to ensure the new plans retain the integrated nature of the Chapel House regeneration project. The new plans for the 'Outside In' development are available in church.
The new Medical Centre plans will also be available in church soon. An open event is being planned but in the meantime you may download them below:
'Outside In' new plan 'Outside In' elevations
Big Lottery remain fully supportive of the 'Outside In' community development.
A Community Peace Garden has been proposed for the land between the Medical and Church Centres.
Despite the many challenges and difficulties experienced in the last 2 years, the regeneration group partners* remain totally committed to bringing the new integrated facilities to life in Chapel House. Please also see the THANKS section at the bottom of this page for the many groups and individuals who have supported and encouraged us..
*The Regeneration Group includes: Ashley House plc, Holmside and Parkway Medical Groups, North of Tyne Primary Care Trust, Dementia Care Partnership, Holy Nativity Church, Spence and Dower (church architects), City Planning Department, Denton and Westerhope Ward Councillors.
Chapel House Projects ready to make progress!
The Primary Care Trust approved the GP's business plan in July with some conditions. It has been a long wait, but at last the medical centre plans can go ahead. The church community plans are also in progress and we hope to begin on site by January 2010.
Our most recent benefactor is the Clothworkers Foundation, which rarely gives grants outside of London. We applied for £10,000 and have been granted £20,000 towards the costs of our community kitchen! Good news indeed. Final fund-raising efforts are so important. We hope to begin new building work before the end of the year.
December 2008 - Progress Report
Outside In Project - Big Lottery News
The PCC are delighted to announce that the Big Lottery Fund has awarded the Holy Nativity 'Outside In' Community Project a capital grant of £500,000. This is tremendously encouraging news.
Holy Nativity was one of 125 successful applicants out of 1,600. The grant is still subject to us securing the remaining funds required to reach our total. About £200,000 has already been raised. We need another £100,000. Applications have been sent to other trusts, so we wait in hope. Meanwhile our local fund-raising continues.
THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the project so far with their time, skills and donations - these undoubtedly helped us to obtain the Big Lottery award.
The project will create new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between community, voluntary and statutory organisations in the area and I am very pleased that the Big Lottery grant will enable this community vision to become a reality." +Martin, Bishop of Newcastle.
Church Roof
As you can see the church roof has been recovered. The whole roof has been insulated so that the heat does not escape and the church should be easier to heat. New tougher waterproofing is also in place, including a new kind of felt which has a special coating to make it look like copper. It was bright and shiny when first in place but will gradually darken and become green like the old roof.
The 'uplifted arms of praise' are resplendent again. Thanks to the contractors, JT Duffy and Fitpatrick Glaziers for their efficient and cheerful workmen.
You can view older progress updates (that we have stored for archiving purposes) using the links below.
The Buy a Brick appeal was launched in July 2008 and has already raised £2,000. Buying bricks will not only help raise much needed funds, but can also be a way of commemorating someone in the Memory Book, which will be kept in the Rainford Room.
If you wish to Buy a Brick please contact a member of the church. Leaflets are available in the church and also in George’s Hardware shop. Please do not give money to anyone you do not know.
Warning: The church never collects money by sending people door to door. Please do NOT give money to anyone at your door who says they are collecting for the church. Inform the Local Neighbourhood Police Team immediately on 03456 043 043, extension number 69191.
Chapel House Integrated Medical and Community Facilities
Response from the Open Week Consultation
Over 360 visitors came through the church during the week of 26th–29th February 2008 (also Fair Trade Week) to see the proposals. Representatives from Ashley House plc (developers for the medical centre), Dementia Care Partnership and the Church of the Holy Nativity were on hand to answer questions and listen to suggestions from the community.
Many visitors completed questionaires - over 200 in all - giving overwhelming support for the proposals. Plans will continue to be on display both in the church and in the surgeries. These will be updated as improvements are made in response to suggestions.
The Co-operative Community Fund has given £2,500 towards the costs of recycling the wood from our old pews into new furniture for the church.
Co-op members make a difference by donating some of their share in the Co-op profits to the Co-operative Community Fund allowing local projects like 'Outside In' to benefit from more than £7million over the past ten years.
View an enlarged version of this photo.
Listed below are articles we have had published in The Link, the Newcastle Diocesan Newspaper. You may download the articles using the links below (Adobe Reader required).
March 2009: 'Big' and 'Little' – a timely partnership
When a little parish on the fringe of the big city needed to jump into deep waters in order to reach the shoreline of progress, little did it foresee the bigness of the challenge, nor the bigness of the ensuing blessings. Holy Nativity, Chapel House, in Outer West Newcastle, is ecclesial small fry with a big heart. It wanted to make a difference, it needed to regenerate, it had the needs, the people and the passion but too small an income to buy a boat...
Download article
May 2008: Dementia turns 'Outside In'
This article tells a story of how dementia is enabling our community partnership in Newcastle to grow...
Download article
Since the very beginning there have been many people involved with 'Outside In' and we have attempted to include everyone we can think of in a very special Thank You page. Please do take a moment to read it...