Here at Dundonald Church, we stand before a building that embodies faith and community. Dundonald Church is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to a thriving congregation.
Dundonald Church began as Emmanuel Dundonald in 1990. Emmanuel Church Wimbledon founded it. Initially, they gathered at Dundonald Primary School. In 2008, the church moved to this location. This site was once a warehouse. The congregation has grown significantly. From 30 people to around 750 adults and 350 children.
In October 2019, construction started on a new three-story building for Dundonald Church. Services temporarily moved to Wimbledon Chase Primary School. The COVID-19 pandemic led to online services too. The new building was expected to open in September 2021. It finally opened in February 2022.
Dundonald Church is not affiliated with any denomination. It is the founding church of the Co-Mission network. Previously, it was affiliated with the Church of England. Dundonald is committed to preaching the Bible. It follows the Reformed Evangelical tradition known as Calvinism. The Co-Mission Initiative houses its offices here.
The Senior Pastor of Dundonald Church is Richard Leadbeater. He took over from Richard Coekin in September 2024. Coekin had served as Senior Pastor for 28 years.
Dundonald Church holds three Sunday services. These are at 10 am, 4 pm, and 6:30 pm. Children’s programs are available at the 10 am and 4 pm services for children aged 0-11.
This building is energy-efficient. The church uses an electric-based system. Heating and cooling come from a VRF system with high seasonal efficiencies. Residential apartments above the church use a 5G heat network. Integrated heat pumps provide additional heating. LED lighting is used throughout the building. Passive controls switch off unnecessary lighting. A solar photovoltaic system on the roof reduces CO2 emissions by over 35%.
Brimelow McSweeney Architects designed Dundonald Church. The building includes 18 apartments. These are seamlessly integrated into the church. The design creates a modern church facility. It serves as a social hub for the community.
The church hall has a 650-seat capacity. There are six ancillary halls for children and youth activities. These halls also host seminars and music practice. Large windows display the vibrant activity inside.
Inside Dundonald Church you will find The Coffee House. It is a donations-only coffee shop. It is located in the foyer and is open Monday to Friday.
Dundonald Church has won awards for its design. It received the Institute of Acoustics Peter Lord Award. This recognized its outstanding acoustic design. It was also highly commended for best new church building in the UK.
Dundonald Church stands as a beacon of faith. It is a welcoming space for all. It’s modern design and community focus make it a special place. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and community.