Exciting Building Project Update - July 2026
(4 minute read)
If you’ve been around recently, you will have heard us share about the upcoming building renovations - and this summer we will be commencing our first building renovation work of our Farnborough Building Project. You can read more about the overall project HERE.
I'm so pleased to now be able to share more information about the timelines involved and how this will impact us gathering at church. Read on to find out more!
What's happening to the building?
To remind you, this first phase of renovations is made up of two main parts;
Renovating the rooms above the “Hub” area that so far we have not been able to use. This will create more space to welcome 40 young people to gather on Sundays, and also to be used by our mid-week ministries and courses.
Installing underfloor heating to the auditorium, so that we don't have to wear hats and coats in the winter! We are also turning the auditorium to face the Elles Road end of the building, so that people are closer to the platform. We've done a similar thing at Kerith Windsor and it's made a big difference. The heating will make use of an air source heat pump, significantly improving the building's green credentials. Although there will be other auditorium improvements to come in future phases, this will take us a lot of the way there with a space which is much warmer and which will work better for us and the many visitors we hope to welcome.
As part of this first phase of building works, there will also be installation of infrastructure that will support renovations in future phases – most will go unseen, but it is vital in 'strengthening the stakes' of our building!
Building Update Meeting - 12th July 2026
We have now appointed a building contractor and the works are due to take place this summer holidays. There is of course much more detail to share, so I'd encourage you to attend an update meeting on Sunday 12th July 2026, 8-9pm, on Zoom. We will be recording this meeting, for those unable to attend.
Click here to be taken to the event page and to get the Zoom Link.
Last Sunday gathering in our building
Our last Sunday gathering in our building before the work starts will be Sunday 19th July. We are hopeful that the first Sunday gathering back in the auditorium will be Sunday 13th September, but we will keep you updated and confirm that date nearer the time.
Staying connected over the Summer.
Our team are putting the final plans in place for how we will continue to gather as a church community during this period, to prioritise connecting with God and with each other. For those on ChurchSuite, we’ll email you next week with further updates on this. If you’re not on ChurchSuite and would like to be, get in touch via info@kerith.church.
Over the coming weeks we'll keep you updated with all essential info via email, and our webpage will show the ongoing plans of connection over the summer - but make sure you also subscribe to this Farnborough blog and follow us on social media for ongoing updates throughout the building renovations.
Why not also take a moment now to ensure you're following our Facebook or Instagram @kerithfarnborough, so that you can be kept up to date with what's going on.
Help Needed
We will be asking some people for practical help in preparing the building, both before and after the building works. Please look out for the requests for help and considering signing up if you're able to!
Thank You!
Thank you for your support in it's various forms; your practical skills, your financial generosity and your time. Please continue to join us in praying for this significant moment in our journey as we renovate our house of God and house of the people. It feels so timely that as we are in our 'Extending the table' teaching series, as we get to do this in a really tangible way through our building improvements. As a community we also get to lean into the verses we have had for our Kerith 2026 vision;
Isaiah 54:2-3 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
If you would like to give financially into the Building Project, tap the button below.
See you soon,
Sonia Hopkin (Farnborough Site Pastor)