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Overdale's Story: Out of the fire...

Overdale was built in 1854 for the son of the Mayor of Derby and was the first house in a green field area. As the years passed, the house was surrounded by other large houses, and then by the rows of red brick terraces. It remained as a family house until the Second World War, when it was utilised by the military. After the war, it passed in to Derby Council hands and was converted into a nursing home.

In 1992, the YWAM team based in the countryside between Nottingham and Derby, believed God was directing them into the City of Derby. They were about to buy Overdale House from the Council when the building was gutted by fire. Did God really say; "BUY THIS HOUSE?" The answer was "YES! Trust me!"

The Council reduced the price, and the insurance money helped the rebuilding process. Contractors extended and rebuilt the structure, but when the money ran out, so did they! From that point, God poured out His generosity in the form of skilled and unskilled volunteers working alongside staff and students. Also materials donated from manufacturers - including 2 x 38 ton lorries of plasterboard.

By 2001, the major work was finished, and the second stage of upgrading the facilities began, and is still in progress.

Overdale now has five student dormitories with showers, seven staff bedrooms, large kitchen and utility rooms, dining room for 50, 4 ministry offices, and hospitality facilities. The original house was extended to incorporate a teaching and recreational room, and sits within 3/4 acre of gardens.

God is faithful.