Link for video walk-through of the approach - digital model walk-through
The Rehobothy Project (stage 1 of our regen100 project) seeks to preserve and enhance the link between Cathcart Baptist Church and the Cathcart/Merrylee community. The existing church facilities need renewal, and the project will involve the demolition of those parts which can no longer be economically maintained, and their replacement with a flexible modern, energy efficient and eco-friendly structure, which will include accessible paths and toilet facilities. Planning Approval was granted on 29th August 2025.
As alternative facilities close down or raise their prices, ‘Rehobothy’ will ensure that welcoming and affordable spaces will continue to be available to numerous community groups and small local businesses providing activities for people of all ages. Rehoboth (Genesis 26) means “the Lord has given us a place to flourish” and refers to a well, providing sustenance and refreshment in a desert place. A bothy gives shelter to those wandering the hills of Scotland. ‘Rehobothy’ will be a place of refreshment and welcome for many travellers on life’s journey, a place to find shelter but also where the Lord gives us space to flourish.
Our project is being developed with a design and manufacturing team who provide self-sustainable modular buildings across the west of Scotland, including new housing in the Hebrides, where solar panels and heat pumps are allowing buildings to be self-sustaining in the most extreme of weathers and locations. Our design provides for two halls, the larger one replacing the Gateway space. There will be new toilets, including accessible facilities, and entrance hall, with a kitchen that provides for both the halls and can serve to the garden side. The large hall is also accessible direct from the garden and provides seating to the garden through the extended external stairs. The new entrance will also be ramped for access
Working with the manufacturers of the modular units brings a precision to how we manage the siteworks. The build time off-site is approximately 16 weeks. We plan to demolish the Jubilee extension and prepare the site for installation across an 8-week period. This preparation will include repair work to the 1950s hall gable, which has deteriorated badly. There is a 2-week planned installation of the new building, using the existing foundations of the Jubilee alongside posts where it extends beyond those.
This approach allows us to keep the existing trees on the site and work around them, as well as limiting the build time on site to around 10 weeks from start of demolition to completion, planned for the summer period when our community hub is less active and we can manage groups in different ways.
We have commissioned Prospus (Revolution Architecture) https://prospus.co.uk/ as the design team working collaboratively with Iron & Pine https://www.ironandpine.co.uk/ who will manufacture the building.
It provides two new halls, new toilets, including accessible facilities, a new kitchen and a new entrance area. The building opens towards the increasing use of the garden which has been a key benefit of our site post-pandemic. Energy provision will be through solar panels and an air-heat pump system, working as a stand-alone self-sustainable extension.
The current provisional budget for the project is £400,000 - £500,000.
If you would like to help support the project financially, you can make online donations here. If you would like to get involved in the fundraising, please contact us.
We aim to maintain our community hub throughout the period of the building redevelopment.
