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heating project

St Paul’s is an active church that has been serving our community in Beckenham for over 150 years. We have a large and beautiful Grade II listed church building with a small adjoining church hall. At least 15,000 people use our buildings each year for worship and community activities. Everyone is welcome — people of all faiths and none.

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From difficult challenge to exciting opportunity

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In October 2025 the 30+ year old gas-powered warm air heating system in the church failed irreparably. Throughout the winter the church building was uncomfortably cold, significantly affecting worshippers, community groups, and activities taking place in the building. The challenge is to replace the church heating system as quickly as possible.

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​However, this difficult challenge has also given us an exciting opportunity to do two things that align with our St Paul’s mission and vision — to reduce our carbon footprint, and to create more flexible space in the church to allow for more creativity in our worship and a significant expansion of our community activities. 

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How we will reduce our carbon footprint

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We will replace the gas heating systems in the church and the hall with a hybrid electric system. We will install two air source heat pumps (ASHPs) which will supply underfloor heating in the church, and radiators in the church and the hall. 

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​​​We will supplement this with infrared heating in zoned areas throughout the church. We will install an air curtain at the church entrance to reduce heat loss. We will also replace the existing halogen lightbulbs in the church with low energy LED lightbulbs. In a later phase we will install LV panels and battery storage.

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How we will create more flexible space for community activities

 

When we remove the pews for the heating works, we will not reinstate them. Instead, we will replace them with lightweight stackable chairs. This will allow us to offer new styles of worship and accommodate existing activities in the church that are outgrowing the hall such as our Connect Café, Babies and Toddlers Group, Friendship Group and Knit & Natter, Craft & Chatter Group. We also plan to provide new community activities such a Wellbeing Café, where we will partner with the local NHS and specialist charities to provide accessible mental health support, physical check-ups, and a café.

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Here are some AI-generated images to give you an idea of what the church could look like.

What funds we need to raise

 

The work will cost at least £400,000. We have already raised £275,000 through church savings, and generous donations and pledges. We are applying for charitable grants. And we have a programme of church fundraising activities.

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How you can help

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Every donation helps us move closer to creating a sustainable community church in Beckenham which will allow us to expand our programme of community activities. 

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Please help us with a donation, however large or small!

 

  • £20 will pay for a box of 10 LED lightbulbs

  • £150 will pay for a new chair

  • £800 will pay for an infrared heater

  • £1000 will pay for a LTHW radiator

  • £3000 will pay for an air curtain

  • £25000 will pay for a heat pump.

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Please Gift Aid your donation if you can. To give, please visit our dedicated Give A Little page.

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