Once a sacred space, now a haven for community. This is Ekarro House. Let’s uncover its story.
Ekarro House began as St Barnabas and All Saints Church. It stood here in Stockwell. The church became redundant in 1980. It was then converted into housing.
Ekarro Housing Co-operative Limited established the building in 1980. Several people facing eviction in Kennington formed it. They secured a long lease on the abandoned church. South London Family Housing Association supported them. They acted as the co-op’s Development Agent.
Southbank Architects designed the conversion. They transformed the church into 25 flats. An office and a community room were also created. The former vicarage became Mondragon House. It now houses 11 flats. A new block named Barnabas Lodge added six more flats. It was built to the south of the church.
Ekarro later acquired more properties in Lambeth. The Housing Corporation funded purchases and major works. The co-op also secured mortgages.
More recently, Ekarro re-developed Victorian street properties. Lambeth Council transferred these properties. Refurbishments were completed to a high standard. The co-op used its reserves and borrowing. The result was a Grade II-listed family house. It also included two one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats.
Five members participated in an innovative shared-ownership scheme. They refurbished three flats using their own funds. They gained leasehold equity in the properties. Ekarro believes it was the first such scheme within a fully-mutual housing co-op.
In 2009, Ekarro carried out a loft conversion. This created a four-bedroom maisonette. It rehoused a family suffering from overcrowding.
Isaac Clarke and James Humphreys designed the original church in 1848-50. John Snell built the vicarage next door between 1843 and 1850. It was part of a planned estate. The vicarage is in Jacobean style.
Today, Ekarro Housing Co-operative Ltd provides affordable homes. It serves local people in housing need. The co-op owns and manages 59 homes on co-operative principles. This includes three disabled-access homes. Ekarro is a thriving and financially secure Fully-Mutual Housing Co-op.
Ekarro House stands as a testament to community action. It shows how spaces can adapt to meet changing needs. From a place of worship to a place of home. Ekarro House continues to serve the community.