A gathering of Royal Priesthood
Celebrating 200 Years of Faith, History & Vision
24th July 2025
The Elite Church is excited to announce a bold vision of restoration, innovation, and community engagement.
As we journey toward the 200th anniversary of our beloved and historic church building, originally opened in 1839, we’re preparing something truly special. Our goal is to honour the remarkable legacy of this sacred space while preparing it to serve future generations with excellence, creativity, and compassion.
Originally built in 1838 as St Martin and St Paul Church has stood as a beacon of hope, prayer, and purpose through times of war and peace, joy and sorrow. Now, as The Elite Church, we are excited to announce a series of transformational projects designed to restore, reimagine, and relaunch this house of worship for the future.
01
.jpg)
Restoring Beauty – Opening the Balconies Again
We will restore the original balconies—currently hidden behind suspended ceilings—to their former glory, unlocking access to stunning historic stained glass windows that have been concealed for decades. This work will restore the original architecture that reflects the church’s beauty. It will also create more space for seating, worship, and community events
This is more than a renovation—it’s a revival of beauty and light.
02
Eco friendly Secondary Glazing
To ensure our historic building is accessible, eco-friendly, and comfortable for all seasons, we are installing high-quality secondary glazing throughout the building. This important upgrade will:
-
Improve energy efficiency
-
Preserve the historic character of the windows
-
Make the space warm and welcoming for every visitor.
03
The Life of Christ Museum – An Immersive Experience
We are thrilled to announce the creation of a “Life of Christ” Museum in the church basement—a groundbreaking space dedicated to helping people of all ages encounter Jesus’ story in a fresh, powerful way.
This immersive museum will feature:
-
AI-powered storytelling
-
Sensory and artistic installations
-
Interactive exhibits and collectables
-
Augmented & virtual reality experiences
-
A Bible and gift shop, extended into a stunning glasshouse beside the building
It will be a place of learning, inspiration, and reflection, open to families, schools, visitors, and seekers alike.
04
Phase 4: A Room of Memories – St Paul’s Memory & Heritage Room
Part of the church’s basement will be lovingly dedicated as a St Paul’s Memory Room, telling the incredible story of this building through:
-
Photos, videos, and documents
-
Wedding, baptism, and funeral records
-
Stories of community worship, wartime shelter, and generational faith
We invite anyone who has a personal connection to the church—past or present—to help us bring this memory room to life.
Share Your Memories
–Be Part of the Story
We are now collecting:
-
📸 Photos & video clips
-
📝 Written memories or stories
-
🎙️ Volunteers and interviewees who experienced significant events at the church in its earlier days
-
🧳 Artefacts or keepsakes from services, events, or family milestones
📬 If you have something to share or would like to be interviewed, please contact us via email: contact@theelitechurch.org
or upload your memories using the link below:
Support the Vision
–Let’s Build Together
We believe these projects will not only honour the past but also bless our city, inspire faith, and create new opportunities for outreach, learning, and worship.
If you feel called to support us—whether by giving, volunteering, sharing ideas, or praying—please get in touch. If you would also like to contribute your time, skills, or resources—or simply learn more—please get in touch with us directly. We would love to hear from you.
📞 Contact us | 🤝 Partner with us | 🙏 Pray with us
“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty.
— Haggai 2:9