cannot deny that I used to dream of this new church and it is as good as my dreams."

Those word spoken by said Derek Beardsell, former principal of Newbold College in Binfield, Berkshire, England, set the tone for the opening ceremony of the college's new church. The September 14 ceremony was the culmination of a 30-year dream.

Joining the faculty, students, and alumni were many visiting guests including the Binfield mayor, and other municipal and religious leaders.

The Adventist leaders taking part in the program included Trans-European Division president Bertil Wiklander, British Union Conference president Cecil Perry, South England Conference president Don McFarlane, Newbold church pastor Ian Sleeman, Newbold principal David Penner, and former Newbold president Andrea Luxton.

Contemporary Structure
The new church is a spacious contemporary building that blends into the landscape. To ensure that the view of Moor Close, the college's original manor house, remains unrestricted, the church has been built into the contours of the gently sloping land, with the largest elements towards the boundaries of the site.

Once inside the building there is a feeling of openness and transparency, and the semi-circular seating arrangement ensures that the congregation can feel involved with the activities on the platform. One of the most innovative features is the green turf-covered flat roofs over single-story spaces. The church includes a number of meeting rooms, alcoves, and other spaces, where people can interact. It also houses a caf� area emphasizing its role of serving both church and community.

Commenting on the building, McFarlane said the church "is built with both the church members and the community in mind. It is an outstanding addition to the South England Conference stock of buildings."

Newbold Student Association president Stian Keyn applauded the Norwegian styled structure. "It's a great relief to have something so modern in a traditional Adventist setting. I like the grass on the roof."

Plans for a church building for Newbold College go back as far as 30 years and it has taken a huge effort from many organizations and individuals to bring the project to completion.

Enormous Cooperation
During the service, Wiklander spoke of the church building as being "a remarkable result of different entities working together in harmony and unity. The Seventh-day Adventist Church world-wide made its contribution, the Trans-European Division too. So did alumni and friends of the college, as well as the local Adventist congregation here in Binfield. The South England Conference made a significant contribution, as well as the British Union, who provided the land in one of the most prestigious areas in Britain. The local community authorities kindly granted planning permission. We are grateful to God and to all of these for such cooperation."

Special Report Annual Council 2002

Speaking at a meeting after the ceremony, Newbold advancement director Velda Cox, highlighted the significant contribution made by alumni and friends who had helped to bring the project to a successful conclusion.

"It was the gifts made by individuals, some of whom are present here today, that gave us hope and courage and the determination to continue with the project, she said. "This support and passion for the church, which came from many parts of the world, helped to re-generate the vision for the church."

The end result of all the efforts put in by countless individuals was summarized simply by Perry: "Once this was a vacant piece of land, but now there is a church raised to heaven."

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