Church Acquisition Conference

SOUTH ENGLAND CONFERENCE

1. My congregation has been waiting for a long time.

2. We are being shunted from one place to another.3. We are a growing congregation with many

church programme needs.4. We want a place to worship on Sabbaths and

possibly Wednesday night prayer meeting5. We WANT TO facilitate Community Programmes.6. We ARE involved in many Community

Programmes and our own premises would help to facilitate these projects.

WHY BUY/LEASE A BUILDING ?

1. Size of your church’s membership2. Length of time since your church was

established.3. Strategic Location of the proposed building

to be acquired.4. Local Church and Community programmes

that the congregation IS involved in5. Involvement in Gift Aid

CRITERIA for Church Acquisition Priority

6. Amount of local Church Building Fund - Demonstrate Active Fund Raising7. Two or more Churches merging together to

form one church8. Congregation’s long term sustainability

CRITERIA for Church Acquisition Priority

1. Today most building cost in the region of about £450,000 to £1,800,000

2. The South England Conference changed its support strategy several years ago to TRY to help with up to 50% grants.

3. The main source of funding comes from the GIFT AID (40% formula) returns from the Government. This brings in about £700,000 each year. Split as follows:

Available Funds for Church Acquisition Grants

A. £50,000 for small building project aidB. £650,000 for Church Building Purchases4. CWD (predecessor to Deed of Covenant

and Gift Aid) amounts to about £10,000 pa

Available Funds for Church Acquisition Grants

1. In 2008 & 2009 the following Churches received help:

BeckenhamBath (Self Funded)BalhamNew Life (Part 2009)Fillipino (2009)£160,000 remaining to be allocated for 2009

Current Church AcquisitionGrants Extended

The churches that have submitted applications for the balance of 2009 and 2010 available funds are:

Whitely ChurchEast HamEdmontonChurches have to submit Building Acquisition

Financial plans that come within Church Policy:

2009 & 2010 Grants

Smaller grants were made to:HastingsHorleyBristol Lodge CausewayIpswichReading CentralBatterseaPlaistow

2009 & 2010 Grants

AylesburyCornerstoneFolkestonePortsmouthGreenwichHackney

2009 & 2010 Grants

£100,000 Proposed cost of Purchase

£50,000 South England Conference £50% grant (subject to available funds in that year)

£40,000 Local Church Funds actually in Hand£10,000 Loan (if needed) up to a MAXIMUM

of 25% of the cost of the building and subject to ability to reasonably repay the loan (normally set at current Gift Aid income levels)

Building Acquisition Financial Plans

1. Identify the property and obtain as much detail as possible

2. Contact the South England Conference Treasurer to discuss the acquisition together with your financial plan to acquire the property

3. Then obtain a Full Structural Survey4. Followed by a Valuation (from a

Chartered Valuation expert)5. Make the offer

Church Acquisition Process

What are Redundant Properties?The Church of England have many Properties

that have seen a decline in use and the publish a list so that other churches that wish to avail themselves of these properties can apply to use them under a short to medium term lease – normally free of charge. However, there may be some costs in bringing these properties into use.

Redundant Properties

Sites to check for available properties:http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/churchcomm

issioners/redchurcheshttp://www.visitchurches.org.uk/http://www.hct.org.uk/http://www.srct.org.uk/http://www.friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/a

boutFFC.htmlhttp://www.mghardy.co.uk/organisa.htmIt may also be advisable for you to contact your

local Anglican diocese, as they are currently reviewing the viability of their local congregations.

Redundant Properties

Where Churches do not have local Professionals in their congregations and are not able to identify local professionals, the South England Conference will help to locate suitable:

Chartered SurveyorsChartered Valuation ExpertsArchitectsSolicitorsStructural EngineersTo facilitate property needs that you may require

Property Help