Charity Registration No. 1034774 FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST. OXFORD ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Yshawgibbs
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees Mrs J S Gooch Mr P Harris Ms F P Mulambara Mrs J Beesley Mr K Henderson (Appointed 4 March 2024) {Appointed 3 March 2025) (Appointed 12 May 2025} Charity number (England and Wales) 1034774 Principal address 36a St Giles Oxford OX13LD Independent examiner Shaw Gibbs Limited 264 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7DY
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD CONTENTS Page Trustees, report Statement of trustees. responsibilities Independent examinerfs rep)rt Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Noles to the financial slatements 7-12
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Iruslees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 Dember 2024. The account5 have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's deed of tnjst, the Charities Act 2011 and -Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Slatement of Recommended Practice applicable to charilies preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102)" (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016) Structure, governan¢e and management The Iruslees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were.. Mrs J Gooch Mr P Harris Ms A Badamchi-zadeh Ms E Hood Ms F P Mutambara Mrs D Sears Mrs J Beesley Mr K Henderson (Retired 3 March 2025) (Retired 3 March 2025) (Appointed 4 March 2024) (Retired 4 March 2024) (Appointed 3 March 2025) (Appointed 12 May 2025) The church is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No. 1034774) and constituted by Deed of Trust. Its affairs are run in accordance with its Bye-Laws. which in tum relale to provisions of the Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, sentist, in Boston MA. USA, covering branch church conduct and governan. During the year under review, the holding Trustees were Dr Pamela Naden, Mr Michael Harding and Mr Paul Harris (from 2 October 2023). The general business and day to day management of the church property is conducted on behalf of the church members by an Executive Board (the Charity Trustees as defined by the Charity Commission) comprising five members, who elect a chairman from amongst their number. Three members constitute a quorum. Board members, who must be members both of this branch church and ofThe Mother Church, are elected annually by the church members. No person may serve more than three conse(yJtive years. Board members nomially lake up their duties on the first Monday in March. Objectives and activities Objects The object of the charity is to promote the understanding and demonstration of truth as found in the bible and interpreted in the Christian Science lext book. The Charity has three (holding) Trustees, whose duty is to hold on trust the church property for the general purposes of the church, and specifically to pemiil it to be used: 1. for promoting the truths of the Bible as explained by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science 2. for the purpose of holding all services and meetings authorised by the Manual ofThe Mother Church or by the Christian scien Board of Directors 3. for any other activity which advances the cause of Christian Scien. In setting the objectives the charity Trustees have read and paid due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. The Trustees consider the availability of the charity's church and reading room in St Giles Oxford for prayer and public services to be the principal public benefit.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD TRUSTEES. REPORT {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Review Of The Year The objects of the Charity were fulfilled by the following activities= A Sunday service and Sunday School was held on every Sunday of the year. The Sunday Service was simultaneously available on-line for those preferring that option. A Wednesday evening {testimonyl meeting was held on4ine every Wednesday in the year, with information regarding public a$$ provided on our website. A Thanksgiving service was held on-line on the fourth Wednesday in November. A Reading Room has been mainlained by Ihe church and has been open to the public one day a week throughout the year, except for bank holidays. The contents of the showcase in the gate are changed each week to provide a helpful article from the Christian Science Monitor and extracts from our weekly Bible Lesson for passers-by to read. The display also contains our website address for contact details, including those of the Reading Room, and on-line services. Achievements and perfoanCe The financial resulls for the year are shown in the statement of financial activities on page 5. Financial review Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. The ttijstees. report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Mrs J S Gooch Trustee Dated.. ..23JEfft.202&.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. RetK)rt and Ihe accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., obseNe the methods and principles in the Charilies SORP FRS 102., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the acwunts., and prepare the accounts on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operalion. The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient a(tounling records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charily IAc¢x)unts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The law 8pplicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently", observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent: slate whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements- and prepare the financial slatements on the going conrn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial slatements comply with Ihe Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of Ihe trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the tharity and hence for taking reasonable steps for Ihe prevention and delection of fraud and other irregularities. Independent Examiner S Daniels has been appointed as independent examiner for the ensuing year.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD I report lo the Iruslees on rny examination of the financial statements of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oxford (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Iruslees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statemenls in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Having salisfied myself Ihal the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under the 2011 Act, I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect= accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Acl 2011. Ihe financial statements do not accord wilh those records; or the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial slatements give a true and fair view. which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Samantha Daniels FCA for and on behalf of Shaw Gibbs Limited 264 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7DY Dated.. 30 Jun 2025
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted funds 2024 Unrestricted funds 2023 Notes Income and endowments from: Activities for generating funds Investment income Voluntsry income 639 30,725 12,327 581 29.461 7,667 Tolal income 43,691 37,709 Expenditure on: Raisin funds Fundraising and publicity 801 711 Charitable activities 36,991 35.730 Total expenditure 37.792 36.441 Net gainslllosses) on investments 11 30,883 47,680 Net income and movement in funds 36.782 48.948 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 January 2024 1,676,397 1,627.449 Fund balances at 31 December 2024 1,713,179 1,676,397 The stalemenl of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets Investments 13 14 890,253 708,013 890,389 677.131 1.598,266 1,567.520 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 15 5.329 112,230 2,653 108,744 117,559 111,397 Creditors: amounls falling due within one year 16 (2,646) 12,5201 Net ¢urrent assets 114,913 108,877 Tolal assets less Current Ilablllties 1,713,179 1,676,397 The funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 17 1,713,179 1,676,397 1,713,179 1,676,397 23 Jun 2025 The financial statements were approved by the trustees on ......................... 00 Mrs J S Gooch Trustee
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Accounting policies Charity inforniation First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oxford is an unincorporated charity registered in England and Wales. and is conslitued by Deed of Trust. The registered office is 36A St. Giles., Oxfoid, OX13LD. 1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charitys deed of tnjst, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" I"FRS 102") and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities= Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021" {effective 1 January 20191. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements are prepared in sterling. which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concem At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concem basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 1.3 Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of Iheir charitable objectives. 1.4 Income Income is recognised on a re1vable basis. 1.5 Expenditure Expenditure is recognised On there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third paty. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement. and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expendilure is classified by activity. The costs of each aclivity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attribulable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are nol attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent. and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of Ihe asset's use. Expenditure is recognised in the year in which it is incurred. 1.6 Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequendy measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impaiment losses.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Accounting policies (Continued) All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. Freehold propety Capital improvements Fixtures, fittings & equipment nol provided not provided 15% reducing balance The freehold property is shown in the accounts at historical cost. No depreciation is provided, as il is the charily s policy to maintain the properties in good repair. Consequently. Ihe truslees consider the life of Ihe properties to be so long that there is no significant depreciation or impairment. Because the trustees consider the current residual value of all the properties in their present condition to be nol less Ihan the values shown and, in the absence of any evidence of impaimient. any depreciation provision for the buildings component of the property would be immaterial. 1.7 Fixed asset investments Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding iransaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net incomel{expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. 1.8 Impairment of fixed assets At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its langible assets to determine whether Ihere is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairmenl loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to detemine the extent of the impairment loss {rf any). 1.9 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in Crnt liabilities. 1.10 Fund accountlng The Capital and Maintenance Designated Fund is an unrestricted fund earmarked by the trustees. Critical accounting estimates and judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required lo make judgernenls, estimates and assumptions about the carying amount of assets and liabililies that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimales and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underfying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and fLrture periods where the revision affects bolh current and future periods.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Income from aclivities for generating funds Unrestrictod Unrestricted funds funds 2024 2023 Reading room sales 639 581 Income from Inveslments Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2024 2023 Income from listed investments Interest re1vable 25,751 4,974 24,911 4,550 30,725 29,461 Voluntary income Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2024 2023 Other income Colleclions including gifl aided Gift aid tax refundable 64 6,148 1,455 10,867 1,460 12,327 7,667 Expenditure on raising funds Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2024 2023 Costs of generating funds Advertising 801 711
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Expenditure on charitable activities Unrestricted Designated funds funds 2024 2024 Total Unrestrictod Designated funds funds 2023 2023 Total 2024 2023 Direct Costs Depreciation and impairment Building maintenance and charity running costs Lectures and publications Honoraria, fees and reimbursed direct expenses Donations Sundry Other Examiners remuneration Reading room publications 136 136 160 160 14,547 358 5,756 20,303 358 14,406 1,758 2,874 17,280 1.758 5,958 2.500 1,267 1.282 5.958 2,500 1,267 1,282 2,646 4,969 4,000 1,035 983 2,580 4,969 4.000 1,035 983 2,580 2,541 2,541 2,965 2,965 31,235 5,756 36.991 32,856 2,874 35,730 Analysis by fund Unreslricled funds 31.235 5.756 36,991 32,856 2.874 35.730 Net movement in funds 2024 2023 The net movement in funds is slated after chargingl{crediting): Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial statements Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 136 160 Trustees 1 trustee received an honorarium of £900 in the year for work as the Clerk (2023.. £900). No trustees were paid for their role as trustees. Trustees received £1.56912023.' £2681 for reimbursement of items purchased on behalf of the church and travel expenses for House Committee and Reading Room attendance. 10 Employees The average monthly number of employees during the year was.. 2024 Number 2023 Number Total There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60.000. 10-
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 11 Gains and losses on investments Unrestrictod Unrestricted funds funds 2024 2023 Gainsl{lossesl arising on= Revaluation of investments 30,883 47.680 12 Taxatlon The charity is exempt from taxalion on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes. 13 Tangible fixed assets Freehold Capltal property Improvem•nts Flxtures, fittlngs & equlpment Total Cost At 1 January 2024 361,000 528,487 2,149 891,636 At 31 December 2024 361,000 528,487 2,149 891,636 Depreciation and impairnient At 1 January 2024 Depreciation charged in the year 1,247 136 1,247 136 At 31 December 2024 1.383 1.383 Carrying amount At 31 Dember 2024 361.000 528,487 766 890.253 At 31 Dember 2023 361.000 528,487 902 890.389 14 Fixed assel investments UnlSsted investments Cost or valuation At 1 January 2024 Valuation changes 677,131 30.882 At 31 December 2024 708.013 Carrying amount At 31 Dember 2024 708,013 At 31 December 2023 677.131 11
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OXFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 15 Debtors 2024 2023 Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 913 4,416 983 1.670 5,329 2.653 16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Accruals and deferred income 2,646 2,520 17 Unrestricted funds The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are nol subject to specific conditions by donors and granlors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes. At 1 January 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended Gains and losses At31 December 2024 Designated fund General funds 1.630.608 45.789 4.000 39.691 15,756) (32,036} 30,883 1,659,735 53.444 1,676,397 43,691 (37,792) 30,883 1,713,179 Previous year: At 1 January 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended Gains and losses At31 December 2023 Designated fund General funds 1.581.802 45,647 4.000 33,709 (2,874) (33,567) 47,680 1,630.608 45,789 1,627,449 37,709 {36,441) 47,680 1,676,397 Designated fund This fund is a capital and maintenance fund representing amounts set aside by the Iruslees lo finance both capital improvements to the land and buildings as well as the cx)st of general repairs and maintenance. 18 Related party transactions There were no disclosable related paty transactions during the year (2023 - none). 12-
nable Issuer Shaw Gibbs Document generated Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 9.'47:44 BST Document fingerprint 5ef778b7a9t6a7574e3479385f32a6cd Parties involved with this document Document processed Party + Fingerprint Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'45:24 BST Jenny Gooch - Signer {219d79d63e9e3e794cfd23ebf5530a93) Mon, 30th Jun 2025 11.'09:45 BST Samantha Daniels - Signer {c9ef8cebba8c4442c22ea80477761441) Audit history log Date Action Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 9'.47:44 BST Envelope generated by Bev Harfield (185.45.25.118) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 9'.47:45 BST Document generated with fingerprint 5ef178b7a9f6a7574e3479385f32a6cd (185.45.25.118) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 9'.50:50 BST Sent the envelope to Jenny Gooch tisvgooch@gmail.com) for signing (185.45.25.118) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 9'.50:51 BST Document emailed to jsvgooch@gmail.com Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'42:50 BST Jenny GooGh opened the document email.186.153.188.191) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'43:24 BST Jenny Goo¢h viewed the envelope (86.153.188.191) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'45:24 BST Jenny Gooch signed the envelope (86.153.188.191) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'45:24 BST Sent the envelope to Samantha Daniels (samantha.daniels@shawgibbs.com) for signing (86.153.188.191) Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'45:25 BST Document emailed to samantha.daniels@shawgibbs.com Mon, 23rd Jun 2025 11.'45:38 BST Samantha Daniels opened the document email.1172.186.8.157) Mon, 30th Jun 2025 10.'59:38 BST Samantha Daniels opened the document email.12.123.22.184) Mon, 30th Jun 2025 10.'59:47 BST Samantha Daniels viewed the envelope (2.123.22.184) Mon, 30th Jun 2025 11.'09:45 BST Samantha Daniels signed the envelope {2.123.22.184) Mon, 30th Jun 2025 11.'09:45 BST This envelope has been signed by all parties (2.123.22.184}