Rebuilding Project - Faith Journey

Blessing of Freehold Property

The Church has been renting its premises at Tanglin Halt shop lot for 7 years and Outram YWCA auditorium for 10 years and was seeking a more permanent place to operate. In 1983, backed by a USD 400,000 huge loan from Quailspring Church of Christ in USA, the Church bought this piece of freehold land for $1.2m. Due to the lack of funds, the Church only constructed the front worship hall. It re-used the old pre-war rear building, partitioned some car parks into 3 offices and added 7 temporary containers as classrooms and offices.

Growing Pains

While we loved and cherished this space, it began showing signs of age. The rear building had experienced roof leakage, flooring and termites. Despite heavy repairs costing more than $150k, it did not meet modern safety and accessibility codes. We were outgrowing our limited office space and container classrooms, which were not ideal. Even our newer front extension was already more than 30 years old!

One of our most pressing needs was for spaces for Sunday Bible classes. Our Mens and Ladies classes had to be combined into one Adults class. Our primary school students had to be merged into two classes instead of six, and our Junior Youth and Senior Youth classes became a single Youth Class. This was not to mention other types of ad-hoc classes throughout the year! With that number of people, there were also always long lines for the limited toilets and a lack of kitchen space for church functions.

Higher Plot Ratio granted

In land scarce Singapore, this freehold land is extremely valuable. After more 5 years, the leaders decided to pray and started some feasibility work to test the plot ratio. Surprising, the government granted us a 1.4 plot ratio based on our land area of 1824 sq m, the first for religious buildings along Pasir Panjang Road. The new Gross Floor Area allowed would be 2553 sq m, more than double the existing 1110 sq m even if we include the existing containers and carpark offices.

EGM Approval

At the EGM in July 2018, over 90% of members present voted to embark on this reconstruction project to bless this and future generations. An additional decision was mooted by the leaders, whereby construction can only proceed if members pledged at least 70% of estimated building costs.

What’s in the New Building?

Level 1 – Office, Chinese Worship Hall & Carpark space which doubles as fellowship and event spaces.
Level 2 – English Worship Hall and Classrooms
Level 3 – Mezzanine Worship Hall and Classrooms
Level 4 – Kitchen, Library and a roof terrace for fellowship and devotional space.

Certain classrooms will have movable partitions to open up into bigger function rooms.  Office would be open concept with workstations and meeting rooms.  The new building will be accessible to the elderly and disabled.

Future Opportunities

The new building will open up many outreach opportunities such as allowing students to use our rooms for self study, giving student care or free tuition, conducting counselling sessions and workshops for small groups etc.

Donated Generously

In the Parable of the Talents, we learn the importance of stewardship.
Money is part of our discipleship and generous giving brings praise to God.

PP’s community of believers, family and friends have contributed generously to this effort.

Estimated Project Costs = $8.8m
Fund Raising Target Achieved

Additional contributions will reduce amount to be transferred from General Fund.