HC-The Backstory

The Headingly Centre is a premier conference and events facility. Behind its establishment is a remarkable story of vision, faith, and the undeniable provision of God. Right from the outset, this has been no ordinary building project. Rather it is evidence of the fact that God is alive and well and really cares about this community.

Grace Church began with 30 people as Edward Street Chapel in 1970. That building was enlarged twice before moving Sunday services to Waimea College hall in 1997. The Edward Street property was sold in 2004 and six acres of land was purchased on Headingly Lane. The vision was for a facility that would meet the needs of a growing church, and also provide a much-needed event and performing arts venue for the Tasman region.

So commenced a significant journey of faith which has seen the Headingly Centre completed in stages. Stage One opened in 2009. Over and over, seemingly impossible situations have been resolved in inexplicable ways. Some may say it was luck; we would call it miraculous.

While the building’s shell was constructed by commercial builders, the interior fit-out has been largely completed by volunteers. Firms such as Nelson Pine Industries gave generous product discounts, and strangers from other towns volunteered goods and services.  Almost all of the $4.5m spent on the project to date has come from the generous giving of church members, and there are many stories to be told about how, in seemingly impossible ways, God provided the necessary funds.  In one case, a church family withdrew savings from an investment company and lent it interest-free to Grace church. One week later, that investment company went into insolvency. In a ‘down to the wire’ situation, when $1.1m was required within five days to proceed or walk away the exact amount was collectively given, just minutes before the deadline. At present, Grace Church has zero debt.

The final stage of the Headingly Centre is its 630-seat performing arts auditorium.  An estimated $2m is required to fit out and equip the shell of this space. God-willing, this may be complete by 2024.

While some would say that the miraculous events and provision in the building of the Headingly Centre are merely coincidental, we who experienced them would say that it was an amazing journey of seeing the impossible become reality. We worked hard, but God worked harder, and we fully acknowledge and honour Him.