ARK Journal: What’s the need?

⏲ 3 minute read

St. Saviour’s Church, located in the heart of North London near Finsbury Park and Crouch Hill, boasts a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s. Originally established as a "tin tabernacle," the church grew significantly alongside the community, prompting the construction of a traditional Victorian nave and a mission hall by 1903. This 2600-square-foot mission hall was intended to house a variety of community-focused activities such as a youth work program, penny bank, and other charitable endeavors that supported local families.

Over the years, the hall took on different roles, functioning as a gymnasium, performance space, and even a language school. Famously Smith Wigglesworth chose to preach in the hall given its preference in the community. However, as time passed, the building fell into disuse, ultimately becoming a storage space filled with old furniture and obsolete electronics. The surrounding area became overgrown, turning the hall into something of a “secret garden,” unseen by many who passed by.

When the parish was relaunched in 2019, St. Saviour’s recognized that this once vibrant space could again serve as a vital part of the community. However, its state of disrepair was daunting. Render was cracking, skylights had fallen, and asbestos tiles made the space unsafe. With the hall's roof leaking and the walls bowing, it was clear that significant structural work would be required to bring it back to life. But a bigger puzzle to solve was not how to repair the hall, but what the hall’s role was to be in the community. How would its rich history play out in today’s context?

To ensure the hall's future, the church embarked on a community consultation process, working alongside ARK to explore how the space could best serve local needs. A key part of this consultation was a series of pop-up coffee bars and a small gallery space where local residents were invited to share their ideas. These events provided a meeting point for isolated residents, remote workers, and families, allowing the church to get a better sense of the area's needs.

The process wasn’t limited to conversation alone. Through a wider community audit, the church identified several key priorities: serving young families, addressing social isolation, and providing opportunities for local creatives. This consultation informed the church’s long-term mission plan for the hall, emphasizing the importance of listening to the community to guide the restoration.

With help of local businesses, who generously provided a skip and volunteer time, and volunteers, the church cleared out the space, removing years of clutter and disrepair. The hall was ready to begin a new chapter, one centered around re-engaging the local community and creating a vibrant, multi-use space. This was only the beginning of the journey, but the community consultation process laid the foundation for a restoration grounded in the real needs and dreams of Finsbury Park's residents.

To find out more about the ARK journey or if you can see a need in your local community that you want to address, visit What’s the need? and get in touch.