With declining memberships in both a beautiful Grade 2 listed medieval parish church and a small United Reformed Church (URC) Victorian flint chapel, Broad Chalke URC and All Saints Church of England congregations had some decisions to make about their future.
With new ministry in both churches, the congregations worked together to audit the needs of the village and tried to address them.
Recognising a number of elderly people living alone, as well as people in social housing who faced isolation, both congregations expressed a willingness to fundraise and a passion to reach out and meet the needs of their community. They both realised that there was much more they could do with their buildings, and so they started a long journey of refurbishment.
The enthusiastic response and practical help of so many people made the churches realise that not only had they met the local need for a comfortable meeting place, they had also demonstrated that different Christian denominations could work together in harmony.
When the works finished, more than 100 people met at the parish church and then walked together to the Chapel for the opening service and celebration, but that was just the start.
It wasn’t long before they were approached by the local parish council with an unexpected request to extend their community outreach by providing a new home for the village shop and Post Office.
The churches agreed without hesitation and, with more fundraising, including generous personal gifts, were able to offer more useable space and improved facilities in a second refurbishment.
All of these major changes to the building, the employment of staff and signing up of volunteers has resulted in a radical but positive change for the village community and beyond.
The chapel is now known as ‘the hub’ and many of its customers now enjoy the convenience of having a shop within walking distance, open six days a week, selling a comprehensive range of foods, including much that is locally sourced. It is also valued by those who meet informally, or gather in organised groups for fellowship, tea/coffee, and homemade cakes.
Having lunch clubs for those living alone, banking and pension collection services, village archives, story time for toddlers, Dementia lunches, French conversation, tea parties, a lending library, teenagers gaining work experience all in the same place, makes a huge difference and brings the community together.
Following Jesus, who laid down no pre-conditions when he fed thousands, we seek to share our faith through hospitality, friendship, and compassion.
In giving up what they were used to, Broad Chalke and All Saints prioritised the Holy Habits of Fellowship and Gladness & Generosity to serve their community in a very valuable way. Could your church do something like this? To learn more about Broad Chalke’s inspiring story, visit http://www.chalkevalleystores.co.uk/
