Refurbishment of Calvary Church of God in Christ (UK) Headquarters

 

On 16 May 2011, work began on the refurbishment of the COGIC UK Headquarters. The building was purchased by COGIC in 1999 and officially opened in February 2000.
 

Background
Built for Oscar Deutsch’s Odeon Theatres Ltd., the Odeon Theatre opened on 12th October 1938 with Sabu in "The Drum". The Odeon was used for music concerts as well as for showing films; The Beatles played there in 1963!

 

The building is located away from Luton town centre in the Bury Park district. Designed by architect Keith P. Roberts of the Andrew Mather practice, the entrance was covered in cream tiles and had a tower feature. The auditorium ran parallel to Dunstable Road and was a plain brick block, relieved only by ten vertical bands of brick and cream tiles at the lower lever. Inside, the decoration was streamlined, with bands of concealed lighting on the ceiling of the auditorium, which provided seating for 1,332 in the stalls and 626 in the circle. The cinema had a cafe for the convenience of its patrons. The Odeon was converted into a triple screen cinema in November 1974 and closed on 4th June 1983, screening "Local Hero", "Tootsie" and "Silver Dream Racer".

 

The building was de-tripled and converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club which opened in July 1983. It was later re-named Mecca Bingo, which led to protests from the local Muslim population in the town, who assembled outside the building, smashing windows. Under pressure, the name ‘Mecca’ was removed from the front of the building, although it was retained inside. The bingo operation closed in late January 1999 and the building was given a Grade II Listed building consent by English Heritage in March 1999. It sat empty and unused until it re-opened as the Calvary Church of God in Christ on 9th February 2000.

 

The refurbishment is of the building has now been completed; it has retained it’s art deco origins and has been decorated to a very high standard.

 

There will be a special thanksgiving service on 6 August 2011 beginning at 4.00pm, to which all are welcome. Photos of the newly renovated building will be posted shortly.