An English council has granted planning permission for the construction of a giant “prayer wall” near the city of Birmingham in the Midlands.
To be located near Coleshill on the outskirts of the city, the ‘Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer’ will stand 59 metres high – taller than the landmark statue, ‘Angel of the North’ – and will be built using a million bricks, each one representing an individual answered prayer from people across the country.
Designed in the shape of a giant Mobius strip by Paul Bulkeley of Snug Architects in Southampton, the “wall” will also employ interactive technology so visitors can use their smart devices to read the individually answered prayers and the stories behind them.
A concept image of the planned ‘Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer’. PICTURE: Supplied.
Planning permission has been granted by North Warwickshire Borough Council and ratified by the Secretary of State.
Richard Gamble, former chaplain of Leicester City Football Club and the man behind the wall, described the move to grant official consent for the construction of the wall – an idea which he had 16-years-ago, as “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,” he said. “‘Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer’ will make hope visible to the UK. It is unique in that it is all about the community: it is crowd-funded and a million people will come together to crowd-create this incredible piece of art with their stories of hope. What we’re doing is historic.”
He said the wall was about celebrating “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 thought-provoking public art and offer a space for recreation and reflection for everyone. Our hope is that those who visit will see how God can bring peace in life’s storms and be encouraged to reflect on the power and relevance of prayer.”
The wall is expected to attract some 300,000 visitors a year and will creates 60 new jobs during its two year construction which is projected to start in spring next year. It is then expected to provide 20 fulltime positions for people working in a visitor centre, cafe, bookstore and a 24 hour on-site chaplaincy support service.
A social and economic impact report from January, 2020, found the wall would add £9.3 million to the local economy a year and generate £430 million in donations to charity.
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Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands and a member of the judging panel who decided on the design comments, said he was “delighted” work can now get underway.
“It’s an incredibly ambitious, stunning project and is a landmark for the Midlands. It has been a long process, but this landmark will serve as a place of hope for many, and one that will help us remember the Christian heritage of our nation. A massive thank you should go to everyone involved who has turned this vision into reality.”
To contribute a prayer to the wall, head to www.eternalwall.org.uk/testimony.
