The st luke's project: A grass roots initiative in kew Available to Purchase

A further contribution to the grass roots saga. A Victorian neo‐gothic church — overlarge for its small if loyal congregation, with inadequate heating and no toilet facilities — and an equally aged redundant primary school; these, relics of another age, were the physical ingredients for our Project. The plan for the school was an Education Centre and this was launched in September 1980. The development scheme for the church was a more complicated operation, involving major capital works. By February 1981 generous backing had been received from: • a most important local trust, the Richmond Parish Lands Charity, who undertook to fund up to 60% of the capital required for the community, as opposed to the ecclesiastical, aspects of the scheme; • the Local Authority, with a commitment to cover the cost of installing kitchens suitable for a Day Centre for the Elderly. By February 1982 the Education Centre was flourishing, but the church development had reached a crisis point; the fundraising appeal had not generated sufficient funds and inflation was stretching costs. Some urgent new thinking generated a working paper, which is reproduced below in full. The outcome of these efforts is as yet uncertain. We have set off down the road; it remains to be seen where it will lead. The feasibility study on the future development of St. Luke's Church was published in October 1979. St. Luke's School was closed in July 1980. Since then much has been achieved. For the Church development scheme, a Faculty has been granted, and outline planning permission given; the Day Centre for the Elderly Trust has been set up; about 70% of the capital funding immediately required has been raised. Out of the old school, the St. Luke's House Education Centre has been born and is alive and kicking. But a final, major push is required. The purpose of this paper is to set out, in draft form, a blueprint for action to achieve this final step.