Reliance Bank proudly funded City Praise Centre for young and old people in our community to know Christ

City Praise Centre CIO (CPC) was registered as a charity back in 1959 as Chalk Pentecostal Church, although its roots go back to a mission for women and children set up in 1936.  Its focus has been on serving the historically deprived area of Dickens and Westcourt estates in Gravesend.

Throughout the 1990’s the church grew and soon its premises were not big enough.  After spending a few years at a local grammar school and then 9 years at the town’s Civic Centre, it was time to look for a suitable, permanent base back where they started.

The Maltings

The Maltings, an old industrial building with offices and a sizable new warehouse situated right next door to the original church, became available.  This was perfect for their needs with a congregation approaching 450 – provided they could get planning permission from Gravesham Council, and they could raise the necessary funds.

Both aspects proved to be challenging.  Getting planning permission took nearly 6 years with temporary permissions being granted at first because of the fear of how the church may adversely impact those living in the surrounding areas.  Finance was also a problem – the owners would only lease the building – the church wanted to buy.  When it became obvious that the owners would not sell, the church agreed a 25 year lease – and started praying that God would change their minds!

Six years later in 2023, their prayers were answered.  First, planning permission was granted after the council accepted that the impact of the church over the years was significant and was truly an asset to the local area.

They also found that the owners were now ready to sell – all they had to do was raise £1.8million.

They planned to do this by asking the congregation to give a special offering which raised £120,000 in 120 days.  When added to their existing savings, it was enough to provide a deposit of £500,000.  The rest would be secured by a mortgage.

The solution

Reliance Bank played a pivotal role in making CPC’s vision a reality. David Price, Relationship Director at Reliance Bank, personally visited the site and recognized its potential. The bank provided the necessary funding after assessing CPC’s financial stability and governance.

Yinka Tomori – Chair of City Praise Centre CIO commented: “When we were thinking about taking a loan as well and we were looking at the various banks it was important to note that Reliance Bank is owned by The Salvation Army. They are a Christian organisation and we are a Christian church. We thought it would be a good way of making sure that the money we have also goes back into Reliance Bank and I know that Reliance Bank also supports a lot of charitable causes. And it has a desire to see that a church grows. So, we thought it was a good fit on both sides.”

The purchase went through in early 2024, with Reliance Bank providing support and assurance, despite the difficulties encountered along the way.

The Impact

City Praise Centre has proudly:

• Reduced hunger for 1,200 people
• Opened a Homeless Shelter (Sanctuary – now a separate charity in its own right)
• Started a successful midweek parents and toddlers club
• Started a large youth club and kids church
• Created and maintained 1 foodbank
• ‘Adopted’ a local school where they conduct regular sessions on what Christianity means
• Ran outreaches to a local nursing home
• Involved with Street Pastors and School Pastors
• Created and protected 5 jobs
• Led missions to India and so much more.

Yinka Tomori – Chair of City Praise Centre CIO commented: “Our church City Praise Centre has a desire to be a blessing to its community. Taking out the loan was not a vanity project. It was something to help our community. As you would have seen as you went round the property the support we give to the toddlers, to the young people, to our community. We are in a place in Gravesend that is not that prosperous.

We see it as a facility that belongs to everyone. And it also gives everyone an opportunity to see that Christians add something of value. And what we do is not simply get to know about Jesus Christ, but to see the love of Christ being demonstrated physically. The purchase of this building will bring that to us. It will make available to us the great opportunities so that young people in the community to find a place they can call their home. It makes available to us a place to show Christ and the love of Christ. And that is what it is all about. Purchasing the building was to build something for young people, for old people in our community and to know Christ. That’s what we are all about.”

Purchasing the building is not the end for CPC.  It’s part of a promise God gave the founder of the church – Stan Bennett when he prayer walked the whole area 60 years ago.  The next 60 years are bound to be just as exciting as they seek God’s will for the next stage in the life of the church.