Places features

If you have travelled along Chelmsford's Parkway to or from the Army & Navy roundabout in recent months, you will have noticed the appearance of a striking new construction.

The brand new Salvation Army building opened at the beginning of April and has made an immediate impact on the town, according to the church's minister Major Alan Watters.

The main hall is capable of seating 320 people

"I think there's been a huge amount of interest from the public," he says.

"Obviously, a modern building of this nature is going to cause people to look, think and debate and that's good. In a sense, whether you like it or whether you don't, you know where the Salvation Army is.

"But in the main, the reaction has been favourable - particularly once people have come into the building."

The building, on the site of their old one was designed by Hudson Architects in conjunction with the needs and wishes of the local Salvation Army congregation and cost around £2.6 million pounds.

The building dominates this section of Parkway

Using a combination of steel, wood and glass, the building is the first church they have built and is unique amongst other Salvation Army buildings around the country.

From the outside, the most striking feature of the building is its large multi-coloured glass 'spire' which, in the afternoon, shines a rainbow of colour across the dual-carriageway.

Inside the building, there is an open-plan reception and cafe area, which leads into the main hall, which seats 320 people and features full range of multi-media facilities.

As well as the main worship area, the building also has a number of multi-purpose rooms, fully-fitted stainless steel kitchen, courtyard and sports hall.

The courtyard can be used for many purposes

Alan says the building's unusual design and facilities have drawn in people off the street who are not necessarily associated with the church and hopes it will become an important part of local community life.

"I think every part of this building, the way it has been designed, means we cater for all kinds of people here," he says. "The worship hall is just fabulous, the sports hall is something very unique I guess for a church.

"Some have also been asking whether it is fine to hire rooms, so we've had a lot of interest.

"For Sunday worship, we've had new people just walk in off the street, some have returned Sunday after Sunday, others have come and headed off elsewhere. But it's been great."

Chelmsford Salvation Army sports hall

Alan is delighted with the facilities they now have at their disposal, but says it is difficult to pin down just one favourite room.

"I guess one of the rooms which is very special for me is the small room that's off the reception area," he says.

"It's a multi-purpose room that can be used for all types of things and there's just a nice feel to it - it's nice and open and bright and transparent.

"And that's what we want. We want our church to be transparent. We want people to come and see and feel and know that they're welcome and safe."