A Cambridge God Adventure* 39) Tedium and a graveyard

(*please skip if you have not been following this story).  I mentioned in the last post two things emerged in 1982 that were to go on and on.  The other theme was, of course, the future of our premises which had remained firmly embedded in prayers and committee meetings.  Early enthusiasm focused on a multi-storeyed development built alongside the church on the narrow ribbon of land which had once been a burial ground, though it was unused for over 150 years.  But, in only our third meeting our solicitor (also one of my key deacons) informed us that English law prevented any building on a graveyard, no matter how long it had lain unused.  Consequently the Use of Premises Committee had to reduce vision and was soon bogged down in the minutiae of double sinks and cupboard sizes for an upgraded church kitchen. The word 'tedium' comes to mind to describe committee progress.

But then.....I don't know the exact day but I can remember our amazement at the end of 1981 when we heard that English law was being changed to allow building work over disused burial grounds.  This change of law transformed everything.  The committee was  galvanized afresh into action.  So much so that the January 1982 Church Meeting was asked to vote on a proposal to commission a feasibility study on a much bigger project.  It was a step of faith but a safe one since it was only a feasibility study allowing enthusiasm without commitment!  Surveyor Brian Hogg was asked to present a design to maximize our site.  I think the meeting assumed that he would 'dream big'.

True enough he outlined a scheme for a three storey block to replace the little shop and cottage at the front and infill the whole area alongside the church between pavement and main hall block.  At one stroke, we had jumped from tinkering with small ideas into huge possibilities.  Was this part of God's mission?  It was a heady time of praying and thinking out loud with faith.  One of my deacons even suggested that a new building could be physically linked to the church sanctuary with new doors integrating worship and service.

Something new was happening.