CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2024/25
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CHRISTCHURCH CLARENDON PARK (BAPTIST/METHODIST)
ANNUAL REPORT, YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Administrative information
Christchurch Clarendon Park is a Baptist/Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP), formed in 1992 by the former Clarendon Park Baptist and Clarendon Park Methodist Churches. The church meets in the premises of the former Methodist Church, which were extensively remodelled and refurbished in 1996/7.
We are members of the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit (23/7), the East Midland Baptist Association and the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
The address is Christchurch Clarendon Park
105a Clarendon Park Road LEICESTER LE2 3AH
Tel. (0116) 270 5369
Website: www.christchurchcp.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/christchurchcp Email: enquiries@christchurchcp.org.uk
General correspondence should be addressed to the Church Secretary:
Mr Chris Whitford, 23 Brinsmead Road, Leicester LE2 3WD
Correspondence concerning the accounts should be addressed to the Church Treasurer:
Miss Jennifer Whillis, 90 St Leonard’s Road, Leicester LE2 1WR
Christchurch is Registered Charity No.1148934.
Risk Assessment and review is carried out by the Finance and Property Team (in respect of buildings and health and safety) and by the Executive concerning the future viability of the Church.
The number of church members at the beginning and end of this period was
| 31 | August | 2024 | 31 | August | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist | 11 | 10 | ||||
| Methodist | 27 | 25 | ||||
| Joint | 31 | 33 | ||||
| 69 | 68 |
In addition, there are approximately a further 50 people on the community roll and a considerable number of contacts through groups which use the church premises on a regular basis.
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2024/25
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In addition, there are approximately a further 50 people on the community roll and a considerable number of contacts through groups which use the church premises on a regular basis.
The Managing Trustees are the members of the Executive. Ordained ministers in pastoral charge are ex officio members of the Executive. The other members are elected by the Annual Church Meeting. The Trustees have the power to co-opt up to a further four Trustees.
The current Trustees and those who served during the year ended 31 August 2025 are
Mr Mark Asher Mr Alan Stead (to 23 June 2025) Miss Alison Charlesworth Mr Chris Whitford (Secretary) Mr David Eyre Miss Jennifer Whillis (Treasurer) Rev Andrew Farrington Dr Lawrence Whittaker (to 8 Dec 2024)
Independent Examiner
Alison Dale, 28 Shetland Way, Countesthorpe, Leicester, LE8 5PU
Bankers
Barclays Bank, 1–3 Haymarket Towers, Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WA National Westminster Bank, 1 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6EJ
Aims and organisation
The purpose of Christchurch is to advance the Christian faith primarily in Clarendon Park, Knighton, Knighton Fields and Stoneygate, in the city of Leicester. In achieving its purpose, the Church engages in a range of activities both on its own and with others, as described later in this document. The agreed aims and objectives are the responsibilities of a number of Teams and Committees, especially the Executive, the Mission & Ministry Team and the Resources Team.
During the year, pastoral oversight was provided by Rev Andrew Farrington, a Methodist Presbyter. A Baptist input was maintained by our Associate Baptist Minister Rev John Rackley, who conducted services and gave other input when requested.
Public benefit
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in “The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit” and have regard to it in their administration of the Church. The Trustees believe that, by fulfilling their responsibility to work together with the ministers and co-operate in all matters of concern and importance for the promotion of the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, they provide benefit to the public by:
-
Providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for the Church members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers;
-
Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church to the community, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole;
-
Providing attractive meeting facilities to a wide range of community groups.
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2024/25
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Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults
There were no serious incidents or other matters relating to Christchurch during the year ended 31 August 2025 which the Trustees should have brought to the attention of the Charity Commission.
Review of significant events, progress and achievements
At the start of this connexional year we welcomed Revd Andrew Farrington as our new minister. Revd John Rackley has continued to provide valuable service as Associate Baptist Minister. Initially Andrew was also appointed as the Circuit Superintendent; after relinquishing this role during the year is now able to devote more time to ministering at Christchurch for which we are grateful.
There has been an increased emphasis this year on outreach, mission and interfaith dialogue. This included hosting the presentation of a tapestry produced by the Sikh community in Nottingham, followed by a visit to a local Sikh Gudwara; putting on a Summer Fun Day for local children and their parents/carers, and several regulars – a visit in Advent by the Avenue Road Primary School and the community Carol Service; opening the church for visitors for the Ride+Stride day and the two Queens Road Fairs. The use of our rooms by the local community continues to increase.
Sadly the Luncheon Club, which has been running for many years, held its last meal, a Christmas Dinner, in December. This was due to declining numbers of helpers available to run it. However, it has been replaced, phoenix-like, by ‘Hope Hub’, a Thursday drop-in, running from breakfast to lunchtime, and the numbers ‘dropping in’ to this have steadily increased. Our thanks go to the Methodist Circuit for supporting this financially and to Fiona Farrington for running it.
There have been some changes to the pattern of Sunday services, with most services now held in the Sanctuary and occasional services in the hall, typically once a month. It has become more difficult to provide an organist or pianist every week, with recorded music being trialled. There are now two families with young children regularly attending. The bible study group and the contemporary theology group continue to meet; monthly ‘Prayer Breakfasts’ are held on Saturdays. Two courses were run on Sunday evenings making use of “Talking of God Together” and “Talking of God with Others” from the Methodist Publishing House.
During the year four members have died and three new members have joined, all by transfer from other churches, leaving our membership almost unchanged. We remember especially Alan Stead, who died in the summer after a short illness. Alan was a trustee up until his death and was very active in many other ways in the church. Also Revd Martin Mitchell, who was a minister in Christchurch in the 1990s and continued as a member after his retirement.
Financial review
Following a loss in 2023/24, we have this year recorded a significant surplus. This was in part due to lower expenditure on maintaining the property than in 2023/24, but also due to increased receipts.
There was a decrease in income from planned giving and collections, but thanks to the work of our Lettings Officer, Jean Baxter, we again saw an increase in lettings income. We also received legacies from Brenda Clark and from Revd Martin Mitchell.
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25
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CHRISTCHURCH, CLARENDON PARK
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Notes Receipts Planned Giving Loose Cash Donations Legacies 6 Interest Tax recovered Sundry Lettings Benevolence Collections, etc, for external orgs 3 Sub total Asset & Investment sales, etc Total Receipts Payments Methodist Circuit Baptist Ministry, etc 4 Pioneering work Charities Benevolence Communication Utilities 5 Repairs & Maintenance Sundry Passed to external organisations 3 Sub total Asset & Investment purchases Total Payments Net of receipts/(payments) Transfers between funds Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
Unrestricted Funds, £ £ 31,384.28 2,012.35 4,470.81 11,000.00 2,559.58 9,607.94 2,133.77 38,667.50 - |
Restricted Funds, £ Total Funds, £ 31,384.28 2,012.35 4,470.81 - 11,000.00 2,559.58 9,607.94 4,750.00 6,883.77 38,667.50 - - 657.54 657.54 5,407.54 107,243.77 - - 5,407.54 107,243.77 34,881.80 2,154.70 448.00 4,146.20 - - 1,682.37 18,189.90 12,055.60 4,525.00 11,432.19 657.54 657.54 5,182.54 85,648.30 - - 5,182.54 85,648.30 225.00 21,595.47 971.02 83,925.14 1,196.02 105,520.61 |
Last Year, £ £ 34,793.28 2,844.30 5,027.02 - 3,055.60 10,823.22 8,221.46 28,575.44 - 718.75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101,836.23 - |
94,059.07 - |
||
| 101,836.23 | 94,059.07 | ||
| 34,881.80 2,154.70 448.00 4,146.20 - 1,682.37 18,189.90 12,055.60 6,907.19 - |
35,554.45 1,593.30 - 4,196.00 63.00 1,685.58 13,722.24 26,091.25 12,195.20 718.75 |
||
| 80,465.76 - 80,465.76 21,370.47 82,954.12 |
95,819.77 - |
||
| 95,819.77 1,760.70 - - 85,685.84 |
|||
| 104,324.59 | 83,925.14 |
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2024/25
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RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 August 2025
ASSETS and LIABILITIES as at 31 August 2025
| ASSETS Cash Funds Barclays Bank National Westminster Bank CFB Deposit Account Deposits with Baptist Union Corporation Cash in Hand Investment Assets Land and Church Buildings Note 1.2 Tangible Fixed Assets Church contents, including furniture, fixtures, Note 1.3 fittings, computers and other equipment LIABILITIES Current Liabilities |
£ 18,564.47 17,560.05 40,437.06 28,959.03 - 105,520.61 None 606,381.00 306,419.00 None |
Last Year, £ 18,899.91 3,306.92 33,790.09 27,928.22 - |
|---|---|---|
| 83,925.14 None 606,381.00 258,100.00 None |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 August 2025
| 1 GENERAL | |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | The basis of preparation is in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, on a Receipts and |
| Payments basis. | |
| 1.2 | The Church Land and Buildings are valued at cost, as follows: |
| Land and original buildings (1900) 9,822 |
|
| Refurbishment and new buildings (1996/97) 596,559 |
|
| 1.3 | The Church Contents are valued as for insurance. |
| 1.4 | The current Restricted Funds which had a balance at 31st August 2024 are the_Key_ |
| Deposits Fund(£425), the Event_Deposits Fund_(£799) and the WarmSpace Fund (£47.02). | |
| The three Designated Funds are the_Renovation Fund_(£11,694) for major maintenance of the | |
| fabric, the_Children and Young People Fund_(£692.98) and the_Hope Hub Fund_(£314.44) |
2 INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
The following organisations come within the control of the Church Meeting and operate their own independent accounts. Their transactions for the year, which have been independently examined, are summarised below:
| sed below: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Balance | |||
| 31.8.2024 | Receipts | Payments | 31.8.2025 | |
| Junior Church | 830.45 | - | 830.45 | - |
| Luncheon Club | 1,072.00 | 590.00 | 1,662.00 | - |
| Parent & Toddler Group | 10.00 | 594.00 | 594.00 | 10.00 |
| TOTALS | 1,912.45 | 1,024.00 | 2,926.45 | 10.00 |
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2024/25
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RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 August 2025
| 3 COLLECTIONS, ETC, 4 BAPTIST MINISTRY, etc FOR EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Rev John Rackley Christian Aid 85.00 Action for Children 230.04 Methodist Homes 124.00 Methodist World Mission 30.50 5 UTILITIES BMS World Mission 95.50 Gas Methodist Women In Britain 92.50 Electricity 657.54 Water Insurance |
2,154.70 |
|---|---|
| 2,154.70 | |
| 8,709.16 4,126.34 279.28 5,075.12 |
|
| 18,189.90 |
| 6 LEGACIES Brenda Clark Martin Mitchell |
10,000.00 1,000.00 |
|---|---|
| 11,000.00 |
7 BAPTIST FUNDS
Various Baptist monies are held for the benefit of the church by the East Midland Baptist Trust Company (EMBTC) as Custodian Trustee, and these are set out below:-.
| Balances as at 1 September 2024 Interest received Balances as at 31 August 2025 The figures exclude accrued interest. |
Capital Income Total 103,789 82,845 186,634 10,847 10,847 |
|---|---|
| 103,789 93,692 197,481 |
The amount held on Income Account can be used for any purpose agreed by the Church Meeting. Capital Account represents the proceeds of sale of the Baptist manse in 1999 for £99,620 plus surplus on disposal of investments in which the proceeds were originally held. Income Account represents the accumulated interest, etc, since received on the Capital Account.
CHRISTCHURCH ANNUAL REPORT, 2024125 Page 8 Name of Church CHRISTCHURCH CLARENDON PARK LEP Indèpèndènt Examinèr's Statèment I have completed my examination. I confiryn that no material matters have Come lo my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respeGt'. the accountinq fecoids were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act", or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns 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 accounts lo be reached. I hovelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds al the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 Ilen thousand pounds) al the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm Iwhere appropriatel .fJ.lA.................................................... Address ..3s...sAEf&A.•QQ.....s..x..... . £&>uthIEg71fL).AP6.,. LE[LS................................. Post Code .L£.Y.5.f U delete or circle as appropriate Chur¢h-receipts-8nd-paytnent5-2025 Notwnal 5of5