Emmanuel Church and Community Centre

Emmanuel Baptist Church has sought to serve the various communities of Swanage for over 100 years. The main church in Howard Road has been used since 1927.The Victoria Avenue site was purchased in 2002.


Using 2 buildings on 2 sites, a variety of community activities are currently based in Emmanuel’s buildings. However, both buildings are tired and in need of major renovation, which is not economically viable. They also fail to meet all the demands of the present users and the vision of the church to provide growing facilities for the increasing needs of the local community.

We envisage the creation of a facility which will give our community a place to flourish – to participate in decisions affecting their lives, and where we can forge stronger links with other voluntary and statutory bodies working to the same ends.

After years of planning, a quality landmark building is ready to be erected on the prominent Victoria Avenue site already owned by the church at the entrance to Swanage. This will consolidate the many community activities in a multi-use, purpose-built and flexible facility on one site. It will also enable the church to expand it’s services to the wider communities of Swanage.

Emmanuel Church and Community Centre will be the first major building visible to people on the main road into Swanage. Our aim is to provide a safe place where all feel valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. The new church and community centre will be a multi-purpose facility, containing a large auditorium, with a seating capacity of 350, as well as a lounge and a large meeting room on the ground floor.  The Large foyer can be used for café tables.  On the first floor there are a further four meeting rooms and four small rooms.  There will be parking for 30 cars, bikes and mobility scooters. 

The new Church & Community Centre is designed to be adaptable and will serve the community for generations to come. Emmanuel, through a miraculous provision, already own the site for the development. The aim is to build the new facility debt free which will require sacrificial giving on the part of God’s people at Emmanuel. The estimated cost to build, furnish and equip the new centre is £1.9 million. Besides the local congregation, Emmanuel are also seeking funding from a variety of grant making charities, trusts and foundations.

If you wish to help us achieve the vision, please call  01929 427706.