Downing Place URC was formed in June 2018 from the union of Emmanuel and St Columba’s United Reformed Churches. With the sale of the Emmanuel building, the redeveloped St Columba’s site will become the springboard for a renewed mission in the heart of Cambridge to create an open and inclusive church, and community centre, welcoming to all.
The church is currently involved in a huge range of activities serving the local community including:
- Cambridge Street Pastors who run ‘NightLite’ as a drop-in, safe space every Saturday night
- Streetbite, a student-run daily food distribution service for rough sleepers
- Group Therapy Centre for local people experiencing emotional and mental health worries.
- Friday prayers for around 80 Muslim students and other faith groups
- Exercise and dance classes including ballroom, tap, ballet, yoga, Tai Chi, and martial arts.
- Education lectures by The University of the Third Age and Cambridge Science Festival
- International Groups including the Islamic Student Society and Newcomers International Lunch
- A music venue providing free lunchtime concerts, rehearsal/concert space for Cambridge Voices, John Lewis Choir, Pembroke/Peterhouse/ Downing Orchestra.
- Sunday Morning Worship, Holy Communion, Open table and LGBT services
The redevelopment of the site designed by ArchAngel Architects creates a warm welcoming space with improved visibility and accessibility for everyone. The design features new openings in the existing fabric to allow views into the building, and allow the life of the building out. A new glazed entrance on Downing Place will provide an inviting and accessible front door to the church. A flexible internal room will provide a new secure space for NightLite and additional meeting space. Internally St Columba's Hall area is to be extensively altered, to create a generous partially double height circulation and coffee space, a new catering kitchen, and a series of small meeting rooms. The Gibson Hall will be enlarged to seat 110, and the Church itself will have flexible seating for up to 200; all rooms will be linked with video screens. The courtyard will be transformed into an oasis garden in the middle of the city. The opportunity has been taken to lower the energy usage of the site wherever possible.
“This project presents a significant opportunity for creating a positive impact on Cambridge in so many ways. It has been inspiring to work with Downing Place URC to help them create a building to deliver their mission. The church is really embracing this opportunity to significantly reduce their carbon emissions through the building fabric, efficient services and renewable energy,” said Nigel Walter, Director, ArchAngel Architects.
“With two out of four elevations land locked, six neighbouring properties, no parking and a limited site compound area this is a challenging construction project. Coulson is committed to working with the community to limit disruption, and has signed up to the Cambridge Considerate Contractor scheme,” said Stuart Humphrey, Coulson Building Group.
A Public Open Day at the new Downing Place construction site is to be held from 10am - 2pm on Monday 25 November 2019 for anyone interested in finding out more about this exciting project.
Image copyrighted to ArchAngel Architects Ltd.