The planned re-development of St Cuthberts Church, Copnor

Work is now starting on an ambitious project to transform a Portsmouth church – while churchgoers worship in a local school.

The innovative £3.3m scheme at St Cuthbert’s Church, Copnor, will see its vast interior split into a GPs’ surgery, community rooms, and a new worship space for 200 people (pictured right). The building will then be used by local residents seven days a week.

Although the planning for this project happened before the bishop launched his diocesan strategic review, it echoes many of the principles behind it. That includes working in partnership with other agencies, transforming buildings from high-maintenance burdens to mission opportunities and providing much-needed facilities for the community.

Building contractors started work once the congregation had held their final service in the original 1915 building. The service began in the church, and involved the congregation leaving the building halfway through and the keys being handed over to the scheme’s architect, Nick Lee Evans.

The congregation then processed to Langstone Junior School in Lakeside Avenue, which will be their base while building work continues. Headteacher Ilza Rudgley greeted the congregation and the Communion service continued in the school hall.

The vicar, the Rev David Power, told the congregation in his sermon: “In a time of great uncertainty, the future will be created by those who are willing to be insecure. It isn’t easy, but in the Kingdom of God it is those who take risks for God who receive his commendation and his blessing.

“Today we step out to begin our uncertain journey. We move from a place where we have felt secure into a place of insecurity. Like Abraham, like the people of Israel, and like the disciples of Jesus, we cannot be sure what lies ahead. But of one thing we can be sure. God is already in our future, and he will sustain and provide for his pilgrim people as we travel with him.”

The first phase of the building work will see the Hayling Avenue end of the building converted into the surgery, with a new parish hall above it.

The second phase, which will start this December, will be to sell the existing parish hall to Portsmouth Housing Association. The land will then be used to create nine flats for the over-55s.

And the third phase, starting in January next year, will be to complete the community rooms in the central section of the building and to create the new place of worship at the vicarage end of the church.

During the building work, weekday Communion services and funerals will take place in St Joseph’s RC Church in Tangier Road, and weddings will happen at St Alban’s Church in Copnor Road.