Our Purpose
ARK builds creative spaces that connect with people’s working lives.
Think coffee shops, coworking spaces, artist studios or makers spaces. We work with churches and their buildings to create collaborative working communities in a way that impacts the local area for good.
All Saints Church, Islington, before we took on the building and restored it into a new coworking space
The problem
In the UK there are just over 50,000 churches, many of whom meet in dedicated church buildings and host midweek activities for the local community.
However, these spaces often stand empty for up to 75% of the week, creating a burden for churches to maintain financially, and missing the opportunity to connect with local residents through activities, events and services.
The opportunity
Church buildings need not be burdens.
They can generate income and serve the local area. For every £1 of income that churches currently receive per year, they could generate a further £2.85 from creative and community use of empty building space.
All it needs is a plan. Somewhere to start designing, fundraising and making a business plan. Not your average church warden job description. So, where to start?
The new cafe in the entrance to All Saints Church
Launch party in All Saints Church, celebrating the new life in the building
The solution
75% of churches want to see increased community use of their building spaces. But over half of them don’t know how. We’re here to plug that gap.
From your first phone call with us to welcoming your local community through your doors. We partner with you to deliver a solution that matches the needs, vision and values of your church. Just ask KXC, St Saviour’s Church or All Saints.
Whatever the space, wherever you’re based, we’re here to transform your empty church buildings into hubs of creativity, collaboration and community.
Statistics from Assets not Burdens by Tim Thorlby, Centre for Theology & Community, 2017