SOUTH PARK CHAPEL
Registered Charity Number 1133278
Annual Report and Statement of Accounts Year to 5th April 2025
Trustees:
S.M. Brant
K.H.J Erulin J.O.J. Freeman
G. Demosthenous C. Ferraby
Secretary:
J.O.J. Freeman 22 South Park Terrace Ilford IG1 1YA
Independent Examiner:
Cobbin Floyd Limited The Old Surgery 15a Station Road Epping
Essex
CM16 4HG
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South Park Chapel
Annual Report and Statement of Accounts
5th April 2025
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Objects of the Charity | 3 |
| Trustees Report | 3-4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Income and Expenditure Account | 6-7 |
| Detailed Income and Expenditure accounts | |
| Church Account | 8 |
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Governing Document:
Declaration of Trust establishing South Park Chapel 3rd November 2009
The existing trustees appoint any new trustees following the provisions laid out in the governing document. The day to day and Spiritual Leadership of the Chapel is carried out by a group of Elders, who are appointed according to the provisions laid out in the governing document.
Objects of the Charity:
The objects of the charity are:
a. To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the Church;
b. To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time may think fit.
Trustees Report for the Year ending 5th April 2025
Summary of the Charity’s activities for the public benefit: The Chapel’s activities continue to fall into three main areas. First there are a range of Sunday and weekday meetings for Christians to develop and support one another in their Christian faith. Second there are evangelistic and community activities whereby the Chapel can serve those who would not call themselves Christians, and seek to present the claims of Christ to them. Third, we support a variety of other Christian movements, and alleviate hardship within the fellowship by gifts of money.
Summary of the Charity’s main achievements during the year:
The mission of the Chapel is to proclaim the claims of Jesus Christ, in order to bring people to faith. In order to do this we seek to equip the Christians in the church to serve Jesus every day.
Bible teaching this year has covered Genesis, 1 Corinthians, prayer, Esther and Isaiah. We enjoyed partnership with some visiting preachers, but most sermons were delivered by Chapel members. Our Sunday meetings are served by a great group of volunteers who serve breakfast, lead the music, operate the audio-visual system, welcome people, pray, run Sunday school, serve refreshments and tidy up.
Special events this year included an alternative Halloween party, Children’s Christmas Festival, a Carols by candlelight service, community Christmas party, carols at a local train station, Easter family afternoon, Christmas Day community dinner.
We baptised three people this year.
Midweek activities included discipleship meetings for new Christians, several Bible studies and prayer meetings. We have sought to support the elderly by offering a regular monthly lunch, and occasional afternoon teas.
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The children’s ministry has continued, with groups for 7-11s, 11-18s and toddlers, and many young people attended the Keswick Convention as part of a Church week away. We benefitted from indepth training in Christian life as well time together as a church.
We have continued to reach out to the local community, including by offering a free weekly café and language class. We also hold a regular Games Night with a meal for our local community on the final Friday evening of each month.
We have been blessed with many volunteers who have given their time freely to help with all the activities as well as support from the WH Knox Trust which has funded several paid posts, including a ministry apprentice. Chapel members also provide a low cost gardening service to residents of the Knox almshouses. The church family has remained a stable size, and a few people have joined as members.
The church is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and of the Evangelical Alliance. We support a number of evangelists and mission organisations, including a local schools work.
Financially, the biggest outlay related to energy costs, which amounted to more than half of the general offerings. The church was happy to support a number of mission partners, amounting to more than 10% of income. Overall, income was higher than expenditure.
Reserves Policy: The Chapel benefited a number of years ago from several legacies which provided a fairly large deposit which produces a small income for the Chapel, and is held as a reserve to cover large expenses if necessary. The Elders and Trustees aim to spend only the income (interest on the deposit and regular gifts from attendees), and for the Chapel to be self sufficient. Increasing reserves over time allows for larger (usually building related) expenses to be met as they fall due, ideally without recourse to WH Knox Trust.
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Report of the Independent Examiner
to the Trustees of
South Park Chapel
I report on the financial statements of the Trust for the year ended 5[th] April 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 8.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. You consider that the audit requirement of S43 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under S145 (5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- b) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 41 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.
Have not been met; or
b) to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Cobbin Floyd Limited
The Old Surgery
15a Station Road
Epping
Essex
CM16 4HG
Date
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Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 5[th] April 2025
| Receipts Balance b/f: Current account No.1 Current account No.2 & Cash Current account No.4 COIF Deposit account Specified Gifts: None Special Offerings: Fellowship Fund Salvation Army A Simpson Specified Gifts Total: Unspecified Gifts General Offerings Keswick Contributions Other gifts & refunds Income Tax Repayment COIF Deposit Account Interest Prepared by: |
£ 0 225.57 163 705.00 |
£ 28,203.32 40.00 836.03 28,127.57 1,093.57 19,091.08 8,891.05 86,282.62 |
Restricted Payments £ Special Offerings 650.00 Fellowship Fund 1,061.60 Total Restricted Payments Counties - Mr. A. Jelfs 1,000.00 New Tribes Mission - Browns 1,200.00 Total Gifts to Missionaries: General Expenses Contributions to Knox 1,427.32 Electricity/Gas 7,618.15 Broadband 388.80 Water Rate 664.91 Insurance 1,649.88 Payment to Cleaners & materials 12.99 Kitchen supplies & refreshments 174.03 Window-cleaning 80.00 Computer, Website & Stationery 326.39 Church fellowship 672.24 Youth 390.68 Children's Ministry/Bouncearound 884.53 Music equipment, resources & subscriptions 522.33 Evangelistic Material & Events 1,659.35 Discipleship & Training 731.31 Evangelical Alliance 90.00 CCLI licence 260.00 FIEC membership (2 years) 988.00 Keswick expenses 2,085.79 2 x TVs 548.00 Leaving gift Chipmans 100.00 Advert for Trainee 70.00 Sundries 107.22 Building Maintenance General maintenance 60.00 Balance - Coop bank account Cash COIF Deposit account 0.00 |
£ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,711.60 | ||||
| 2,200.00 | ||||
| {inc. Gift Aid} 15,809.89 2054.48 1,226.71 |
10,099.18 | |||
| 7,387.91 1,503.14 |
||||
| K.H.J.ERULIN | ||||
| 11,352.74 | ||||
| 60.00 31,228.39 0.00 29,630.71 |
||||
| 86,282.62 |
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Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 5[th] April 2025
| Income Restricted Funds Specified gifts: Special offerings £868.00 Fellowship Fund £225.57 Marked Gifts £0.00 Unrestricted Funds General Offerings £15,809.89 Other Unspecified Gifts £913.71 Bequest £0.00 Income Tax Repayment £7,387.91 Thursday Lunch £288.00 Solid Contributions £0.00 Keswick Contributions £2,054.48 Barclays Compensation £0.00 Miscellaneous £25.00 Interest £1,503.14 Expenditure Restricted Funds Special Offerings £650.00 Fellowship Fund £1,061.60 Unrestricted Funds Other Expenses £23,651.92 Building & Maintenance £60.00 Excess of Income over Expenditure Add surplus at 6th April 2022 |
2025 £10.00 £461.71 £40.00 £1,093.57 £14,185.50 £2,651.59 £25,000.00 £0.00 £467.65 £540.00 £1,162.83 £350.00 £0.00 £1,217.05 £27,982.13 £29,075.70 £0.00 £1,192.68 £1,711.60 £18,652.30 £297.00 £23,711.92 £25,423.52 £3,652.18 £57,206.92 £60,859.10 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
| £511.71 | ||
| £45,574.62 | ||
| £46,086.33 | ||
| £1,192.68 | ||
| £18,949.30 | ||
| £20,141.98 £25,944.35 £31,262.57 |
||
| £57,206.92 |
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| Balance Sheet at 5-4-2025 2025 FIXED ASSETS Freehold Property South Park Chapel premises at 1917 Valuation £1,500.00 CURRENT ASSETS Bank Account Balances £60,859.10 £62,359.10 FUNDS Capital Funds £1,500.00 Income Funds - Unrestricted £60,601.10 Restricted: Fellowship Fund £0.00 Other Restricted Funds £40.00 Special Offerings £218.00 £62,141.10 Signed on behalf of the Trustees: Date: 3rdFebruary 2026 |
2024 £1,500.00 £57,206.92 |
|---|---|
| £58,706.92 £1,500.00 £56,330.89 £836.03 £40.00 £0.00 |
|
| £58,706.92 |
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