Oadby Evangelical Free Church
North Memorial Hall Stoughton Road Oadby Leicester LE2 4FL
Tel: 0116 271 3805 email: info@oefc.co.uk web: www.oefc.co.uk
Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2025
| Name: | Oadby Evangelical Free Church |
|---|---|
| (common abbreviation: OEFC) | |
| Charity Number: | 1030055 |
| Governing Document: | Church Constitution |
| (last revised on 21st March 1997) | |
| Minister: | Gary Prickett |
| Women’s | Emese Carter-Whittley |
| worker/Administrator: | |
| Trustees/Church Officers: | Lance Atter (Elder & Trustee) – until 5thMarch |
| Stuart Glover (Elder, Trustee & Interim Treasurer) | |
| Steven Green (Elder & Trustee) | |
| Luke Carter-Whittley (Deacon) | |
| Judith Chinnery (Deacon) | |
| Charity Commission | Stuart Glover |
| Correspondent: | c/o Oadby Evangelical Free Church |
| North Memorial Hall, Stoughton Road, Oadby | |
| Leicestershire LE2 4FL | |
| Website : | www.oefc.org.uk |
| Banks: | Barclays Bank plc |
| Independent Examiner | Heather Wells MIAB |
| of Accounts: |
1. Purpose/Object
The church was established in the mid-1970s to promote the advancement of the Christian faith, and such other charitable purposes as are consistent with that aim, particularly but not exclusively in the Leicestershire town of Oadby.
The church’s understanding of the Christian faith is set out in its Basis of Faith. This is identical to the Doctrinal Basis of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and comprises the basic truths of historic, Biblical Christianity.
2. Organisation
The Church’s Constitution describes the rules governing the leadership and membership of the church, the conduct of its formal ‘business’ meetings, the two ordinances it observes (believers’ baptism and communion) and the basic aspects of its financing (by means of freewill offerings, which are carefully recorded and independently examined).
The work of the church is overseen by elders and supported by deacons (known collectively as Church Officers), all of whom are active in the church and are appointed by church members. One of the elders is appointed as the minister of the church and is a full-time employee of it; the other elders serve as the Trustees of the charity.
With the exception of the minister, all members of the church who serve as its elders, deacons or in other ways do so on a voluntary basis and, unless agreed otherwise by members of the church at a formal meeting, without payment.
In 2025, the church held three business meetings for church members. At the end of the year, the church had an admitted membership of 42. Morning congregations are routinely larger than this, and many other children and adults attend one or more of the church’s mid-week activities.
The church is independent of any other organisation but maintains a positive interest in and links with other evangelical churches and Christian organisations. In particular, it maintains its affiliation to the nationwide Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
3. Public Benefit Statement and Church Activities
The Trustees of the church have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In particular, the church seeks to benefit the local community by pursuing its main purpose through a range of activities appealing to a wide cross-section of ages and interests.
Each Sunday, and normally twice on that day, the church meets for public worship; special services are also held at Christmas, Easter and at other times. The church does not generally live-stream its services, but video recordings of most of them are released promptly on its YouTube channel. Those who attend the Sunday morning service are invited to send their younger children out of the meeting to a crèche or to Sunday-School classes held in the extension to the Hall in which we worship.
Each month the church runs at least one mid-week meeting for Bible Study and prayer, sometimes with an invited missionary or other guest speaker. Smaller groups, meeting in the Hall or in private homes, meet twice a month; there are also regular
prayer meetings, including one held online early each Saturday morning. Other regular mid-week sessions include an Art group, a coffee morning with activities or presentations, a play session for pre-school children and their carers, a table-tennis session for men, and conversation clubs to help speakers of other languages improve their spoken English and monthly walking and craft groups.
One-off events were also held including various craft events e.g. Easter craft evening and a Christmas wreath making event which were open to the local community.
The church’s activities are very well advertised in the church, on the web and via a weekly bulletin which is issued both electronically and on paper. All of the church’s activities, save for its business meetings for members and some of its small-group sessions, are open to the public; several of them attract people who are not formal members of the church or regular members of its congregation.
Most of the church’s activities and events are held at the North Memorial Hall, which is located on Stoughton Road in Oadby and forms the communal space for an estate of homes originally built in the 1920s to house disabled warriors from the Great War. The church rents this property through an exclusive lease granted to it by the Trustees of another local charity – the North Memorial Homes.
In addition to its concern for the people of Oadby, the church actively supports Christian outreach and missionary work, as well as humanitarian aid projects. Donations received for special collections taken up in 2025 were sent to local charities and foodbanks as well as to recognised churches and mission agencies working overseas. Regular donations were made to Christian organisations and churches working in Latin America, Madagascar, southern France and India; once again we contributed to the ‘shoebox appeal’ organised by the Blythswood Care charity, and were able to pass on shoeboxes, filled with simple Christmas gifts, for needy families in eastern Europe.
4. Financial Position
The church accounts for the year 2025 have been prepared by the Interim Treasurer and signed off by a qualified independent examiner. They show that the church reported a deficit for the year of just over £25,300. This was largely, though not only, a product of atypical expenditure in 2025, including over £10,000 towards work on the North Memorial Hall and fees paid to our solicitors. A deficit of this size was expected and due to the church having good reserves, it is of no immediate concern.
5. Outreach
The church continued to employ a part time women’s worker/administrator from among the church members. In additional to taking on some administrative tasks, this post seeks to develop our ministry amongst women in the local community, including making new contacts and holding Bible studies.
6. Future Developments
The church has occupied the North Memorial Hall in Oadby under the terms of a 35year lease granted to it by the Trustees of the North Memorial Homes. That lease expired in mid-2022, but was extended to mid-2023 to allow negotiations to take place regarding a possible new lease.
Heads of Terms for a new lease were agreed between the Trustees of OEFC and the Trustees of the North Memorial Homes in July 2023. Solicitors for both parties are
seeking to agree a new lease document, based on the agreed Heads of Terms, for twenty years. The new lease will be an Internal Repairing and Insuring (IRI) lease, rather than a Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) lease as before. The new lease has not yet been agreed and signed.
The church is also committed to registering as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Work on this has started and it is hoped that it will conclude shortly.
Signed by Stuart Glover on behalf of Trustees of Oadby Evangelical Free Church Date: 24[th] May 2026
Affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches O.E.F.C is a Registered Charity: Number 1030055
Oadby Evan8ellcal Free Church.. Independent Examlnels Report Independent Examiner's Report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church (charity number 10300551 for year ending 31st December 2025 Churth Officers, Report These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. In the opinion of the charity trustees the accounts are an accurate reflertion of the financial position of the Charity and comply with legal reqLsirements and have our unanimous approval. Slgned on behalf of the trustees Name Office held Signature Date Stuart Glover Elder, Trustee & Interim Treasurer Steven Green Elder & Trustee Independent Emaminerfs Report I report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church for the year ended 31 December 2025 whith are set out below. Responslbllltles and basls of report As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan wilh the Charities Act 20111.the Arf). I report in respert of my examination of the charitVs accounts carried out under sertn 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions 8iven by the Charity Commission under sertion 1451511bl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respert,: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gwe a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thls report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name Relevant professional qualifications/body Member of the Institute of Accountants and Bookeepers IMIABI Signature Date Heather Wells JJ31202b Address.. 7 Muston Gardens, Leicester, LE2 6FX
Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2025
Oadby Evangelical Free Church Accounts & financial statement Period covered: 1[st] January 2025 – 31[st] December 2025
Summary of receipts and payments (1[st] January – 31[st] December 2025)
| Receipts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | 2025 | 2024 |
| (£) | (£) | |
| Donations | 67,367.96 | 64,753.42 |
| Bank interest (Deposit accounts) | 4,823.19 | 2,011.35 |
| Other income | 770.85 | 5,135.00 |
| Gift Aid/Gift Aid small | 9,840.55 | 7,674.80 |
| donation scheme(GASDS) | ||
| Restricted funds | ||
| Giving for | 5,467.50 | 6,977.75 |
| missionary/specific causes | ||
| Other income | 50.00 | 0.00 |
| Total | 88,320.05 | 86,552.32 |
| Payments | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 2025 | 2024 |
| (£) | (£) | |
| Employment | 50,660.98 | 40,069.10 |
| Events/activities | 2,144.38 | 2,226.12 |
| Equipment | 0.00 | 712.64 |
| Administration | 8,559.64 | 7,051.85 |
| Building | 21,735.00 | 28,960.04 |
| Utilities | 6,995.94 | 5,828.45 |
| Giving to missionary and | 7,577.00 | 7,545.00 |
| other causes | ||
| Restricted funds | ||
| Missionary giving | 3,677.50 | 6,241.50 |
| Gifts to other causes | 1,515.00 | 586.25 |
| BuildingFund | 10,800.00 | 0.00 |
| Total | 113,665.44 | 99,220.95 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) of receipts | (25,345.39) | (12,668.63) |
| overpayments |
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Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2025
Breakdown of receipts (1[st] January – 31[st] December 2025)
Unrestricted funds
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (£) | (£) | ||
| Donations | 67,367.96 | 64,753.42 | |
| Bank transfer | 47,548.00 | 43,659.00 | |
| Givingvia Stewardship | 12,277.16 | 12,677.16 | |
| Note 1 | Offeringbox | 7,542.80 | 8,417.26 |
| Tax reclaim | 9,840.55 | 7,674.80 | |
| Other income | 770.85 | 5,135.00 | |
| Note 2 | Church activities | 535.84 | 105.00 |
| Note 3 | Miscellaneous | 235.01 | 30.00 |
| Legacies | 0.00 | 5,000.00 | |
| Bank interest | 4,823.19 | 2,011.35 | |
| TOTAL | 82,802.55 | 79,574.57 |
| Restricted funds | Restricted funds | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| (£) | (£) | ||
| Missionary causes | 4,002.50 | 6,391.50 | |
| 2023 Christmas offering | 0.00 | 2,234.00 | |
| 2024 Easter offering | 0.00 | 3,457.50 | |
| Notes 4 and 10 | 2024 Christmas offering | 560.00 | 700.00 |
| Note 5 | 2025 Harvest offering | 2,417.50 | 0.00 |
| Note 6 | 2025 Christmas offering | 975.00 | 0.00 |
| General missionarywork | 50.00 | 0.00 | |
| Othergiving | 1,515.00 | 586.25 | |
| Christian Institute | 0.00 | 255.00 | |
| 2024 Harvest offering | 0.00 | 331.25 | |
| Note 7 | 2025 Easter offering | 1,465.00 | 0.00 |
| Youthwork | 50.00 | 0.00 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | TO RESTRICTED FUNDS | 5,517.50 | 6,977.75 |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 88,320.05 | 86,552.32 |
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Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2025
Breakdown of payments (1[st] January – 31[st] December 2025)
Unrestricted funds
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (£) | (£) | ||
| Employment | 50,660.98 | 40,069.10 | |
| Salaries, tax and pension | 50,297.32 | 39,925.78 | |
| contributions | |||
| Book allowance | 363.66 | 143.32 | |
| Events/activities | 2,144.38 | 2,226.12 | |
| Note 8 | Visiting preacher expenses | 337.20 | 388.20 |
| Worshipservices | 81.18 | 540.40 | |
| Catering | 676.03 | 306.31 | |
| Outreach | 535.88 | 542.06 | |
| Youthwork | 196.09 | 260.15 | |
| Room hire | 318.00 | 189.00 | |
| Equipment | 0.00 | 712.64 | |
| AudioVisual | 0.00 | 40.56 | |
| Computing | 0.00 | 389.84 | |
| Furniture | 0.00 | 52.25 | |
| Cleaning | 0.00 | 229.99 | |
| Health & safety | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Missionary causes & | 7,577.00 | 7,545.00 | |
| other causes | |||
| Carcassonne | 1,869.25 | 1,560.00 | |
| Latin Link | 1,869.25 | 1,560.00 | |
| Mandritsara | 1,869.25 | 1,560.00 | |
| Valathi | 1,869.25 | 2,040.00 | |
| Cavills | 0.00 | 675.00 | |
| East Midlands Churches | 0.00 | 150.00 | |
| Day | |||
| Missions Day | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Administration | 8,559.64 | 7,051.85 | |
| Note 9 | Fees | 6,071.88 | 2,565.00 |
| Printingand stationery | 70.00 | 212.00 | |
| Insurance | 1,002.77 | 1,480.38 | |
| Copyright licence | 340.00 | 328.00 | |
| FIEC membership | 0.00 | 1,608.00 | |
| Zoom subscription | 195.48 | 183.48 | |
| Child protection/ | 150.00 | 251.99 | |
| safeguarding | |||
| Website | 53.32 | 0.00 | |
| Conferences/training | 676.19 | 423.00 |
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Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2025
| Building | 21,735.00 | 28,960.04 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 17,704.12 | 17,187.00 | |
| Buildingfabric | 2,365.00 | 24.65 | |
| Cleaning | 1,665.88 | 1,864.39 | |
| Gardening | 0.00 | 13.98 | |
| Gas work | 0.00 | 9,552.68 | |
| Health & safety | 0.00 | 299.34 | |
| Keys | 0.00 | 18.00 | |
| Utilities | 6,995.94 | 5,828.45 | |
| Electricity | 3,313.47 | 1,746.60 | |
| Gas | 2,588.31 | 2,950.95 | |
| Phone/broadband | 768.74 | 750.98 | |
| Water | 325.42 | 379.92 | |
| Total payments from unrestricted funds | 97,672.94 | 92,393.20 | |
| Restricted | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| (£) | (£) | ||
| Missionary causes | 3,677.50 | 6,241.50 | |
| 2023 Christmas offering | 0.00 | 2,734.00 | |
| 2024 Easter offering | 0.00 | 3,507.50 | |
| Notes 4 and 10 | 2024 Christmas offering | 1,230.00 | 0.00 |
| Note 5 | 2025 Harvest offering | 2,417.50 | 0.00 |
| Note 10 | Uncleared cheque | 30.00 | 0.00 |
| Gifts to other causes | 1,515.00 | 586.25 | |
| Christian Institute | 0.00 | 255.00 | |
| 2024 Harvest offering | 0.00 | 331.25 | |
| Note 7 | 2025 Easter offering | 1,465.00 | 0.00 |
| Youthwork | 50.00 | 0.00 | |
| Building Fund | 10,800.00 | 0.00 | |
| Buildingwork | 10,800.00 | 0.00 | |
| Total payments from restricted funds | 15,992.50 | 6,827.75 | |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 113,665.44 | 99,220.95 |
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Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2025
Notes on receipts and payments
-
1 2025 figure does not include money collected by Shining Stars and Art@Oadby groups (see ’Church activities’) but 2024 figures does include this income.
-
2 2025 figure includes money collected by Shining Stars and Art@Oadby groups but 2024 figures does not include this income (see ‘Offering box).
-
3 Refund from supplier (£185.01) and payment (£50.00) from Nationwide Building Society following their acquisition of Virgin Money.
-
4 2024 Christmas offering was donated to work with people in Northern Israel. Figure includes Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations.
-
5 2025 Harvest offering was donated to the European Missionary Fellowship’s 4:14 appeal for work in Ukraine. Figure includes Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations.
-
6 2025 Christmas offering was donated to the work of the Middle East Reformed Fellowship. Figure includes Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations.
-
7 2025 Easter offering was donated to Eyres Monsell Community Church in Leicester. Figure includes Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations.
-
8 Visiting speaker expenses total includes £100.00 which speaker asked to be sent to the Open Air Mission.
-
9 Fees paid to independent examiner and solicitor.
-
10 A donation for the 2024 Christmas offering came via cheque which was credited to the church but removed by the bank when it failed to clear. Therefore the accounts show £1,260.00 collected but only £1,230.00 paid.
Statement of assets and liabilities at 31[st] December
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| (£) | (£) | |
| Current account | 19,174.21 | 10,136.99 |
| Deposit account | 73,898.81 | 108,286.86 |
| Pettycash | 19.97 | 14.53 |
| Total | 93,092.99 | 118,438.38 |
| Funds | ||
| Unrestricted(general) fund | 89,248.59 | 104,068.98 |
| Restricted funds: | ||
| Buildingfund | 2,869.40 | 13,669.40 |
| 2024 Christmas offering | 0.00 | 700.00 |
| 2025 Christmas offering | 975.00 | 0.00 |
| Total | 93,092.99 | 118,438.38 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Amount due within 1 year | 3,302.08 | 1,403.05 |
Fixed assets
The Church does not own any land, buildings or vehicles. Fixed assets held by the church includes books, office equipment and other fixtures and fittings which all belong to the general fund.
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