Site Context
The existing site
The site is in Canning Town South, within the Canning Town Estate. It is an ‘island’ site surrounded by local roads; Burke street and Cooper Street to the north, Lawrence Street to the east, Tant Avenue and Vincent Street to the South. The site contains a number of buildings of varying condition and quality.
Since its establishment in 1894, the RIVER CHRISTIAN CENTRE (RCC) has been a key community asset for the surrounding dockworker community.
Its role has grown and shifted alongside the changing context of Canning Town. Following decline in the 1980s, the centre merged with a local Elm church to become the RCC Centre, bringing new life to the site’s core; however, it was too late for some of the periphery buildings, which were in a bad state of disrepair. Plans were made for the site’s comprehensive redevelopment in 2006 and preparations for this reduced community activity and paused building maintenance.
However, this has also meant the continued decline of many buildings beyond their usable and economic life.
The River Christian Centre
What they offer today
The Existing Site Serves the Canning Town community. The RCC currently runs a Number of community activities and support groups from its existing facilities, to create a safe place where everybody is welcomed and feels valued regardless of their social situation or beliefs.
However, many of these activities and groups would benefit from update facilities to create more accessible and long-lasting spaces for the wider Canning Town community. This would also greatly improve the setting of the Grade II listed church. The RCC Foundation’s current facilities include:
Church & Community Centre:
Home of the River Christian Centre and two other church congregations with a wide range of community facilities.
NURSERY & Kids Club:
Private service for working and supported families (ages 0-11) with dedicated children’s outdoor playspace. Since reopening it is fully subscribed, offering the most affordable fees in Newham and supporting return-to-work pathways and wrap-around care.
EDUCATION & Training Centre Space:
Employment training and mentoring, ESOL, parenting/work skills, third sector office space, business incubator space.
Food bank:
The River Christian Centre operates a food bank out of the front of the church.
Youth and Health Complex:
Service to young persons (11-19) in a multi-purpose space that will be geared to detached outreach, mentoring, training, sports/multimedia. Health and fitness suite with emphasis for people with special needs and keep public multi-use games area, managed and run by the RCC.
Key Worker Housing and supported accommodation:
Key worker housing including the minister’s home, and supported accommodation including 30 en-suite rooms and a guest flat.
