Wall of prayers to be built
MONUMENT – THE BRAINCHILD OF FORMER LEICESTER CITY FC CHAPLAIN – BEING CROWDFUNDED
A LEICESTER City FC chaplain’s idea for a huge monument to answered prayers is going ahead after 16 years.
Richard Gamble was in a procession through the city centre carrying a cross during the Easter celebrations in 2004 when he dreamt up the idea of a vast building made of a million bricks, each representing a prayer.
The crowdfunded Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer will be 169ft tall, in the form of a Möbius strip.
Richard, who is now chief executive of the project and no longer at the football club, found out recently the £9.35 million building has been given planning permission to be built in Coleshill, Warwickshire.
Richard said: “It’s been 16 years since the idea was first born. To finally receive the official consent is incredible.
“We are building a very special landmark and it is an amazing opportunity for the British people to leave a legacy of hope for future generations.
“Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer will make hope visible to the UK.
“The unique thing about the project is all about the community.
“It is crowdfunded and a million people will come together to crowdcreate this incredible piece of art with their stories of hope. What we’re doing is historic.
“We want to celebrate and remember all the prayers that God has answered for individuals throughout our nation’s history.
“Each answered prayer could provide hope to those who visit.
“Our desire is to create thoughtprovoking public art and offer a space for recreation and reflection for everyone.
“Our hope is those who visit will see how God can bring peace in life’s storms and be encouraged to think about the power and relevance of prayer.”
The building will include a visitor centre, cafe, bookshop and
DESIGN: The wall will have a million bricks, each representing an answered prayer 24-hour chaplaincy support service.
Each of the bricks will be readable using smart phones. People will just need to hold their phones against the bricks to learn about the story of a prayer with a request to God that appeared to have been granted.
The building is expected to attract 300,000 visitors each year, creating 60 construction jobs, 20 full-time positions and contributing an estimated £9.3 million to the economy in Coleshill.
It will sit on land between the M6 and M42.
The planning application was first agreed by North Warwickshire Borough Council and now the Secretary of State has ratified the decision.
Alan Birchenall, club ambassador for Leicester City, wished his former colleague the best.
He said: “Richard played a significant role at Leicester City Football Club as chaplain.
“While having one of the more unsung roles, behind the scenes he always lit up the training ground and was a big help to the young players and the first team men, too.
“Richard was well-liked and had the respect of everyone at LCFC. I wish him all the best.”
Construction is expected to begin in the spring and be completed in autumn 2022.