After much hard work, planning, preparation and prayer, St Mary’s Church in Lutterworth has recently opened the Churchgate Community Centre - a newly renovated space in the town, dedicated to the community.
Described as ‘a blessing’ and a ‘much needed’ facility in the centre, the church has been at the heart of the renovation project, creating a facility for the whole community to use, from recreational clubs and social outreach, to discipleship and children’s and youth groups.
Revd Nigel Byard, Rector of Lutterworth and Assistant Area Dean, said: “We are delighted that the church can be a positive influence in the local community and that we are able to offer the building as a safe place for people to gather.
“It will provide a hub around which we can develop projects that will promote wellbeing and combat loneliness and poverty in our community.”
Lutterworth Foodbank is one of the groups using the Churchgate Centre. The renovation has facilitated its return to face-to-face work with members of the community and provided an opportunity to work closely with services such as Citizens’ Advice, as well as offering signposting to their clients.
St Mary’s Church Warden, Tricia Dean, hopes the centre will be of benefit to many in the community, especially those with the ‘greatest needs.’
She said: “It’s so important to us that we look out for those people who may otherwise fall through the gaps and that we give the charitable organisations of Lutterworth a safe space to work in.”
The Churchgate Community Centre was formerly the Mechanics Institute and at one time even the Museum of Lutterworth. Many residents of the town and villages have memories of using the building and are thrilled to see it restored and to be part of the community infrastructure of the town again.
Fundraiser and Project Manager, Tor Berry, raised around £140,000 for the renovation project and early stages of opening.
Thanks to support and funding from Harborough District Council, as well as local businesses and grant makers, the building has been returned to its former glory, as a warm, accessible and inclusive space for community groups to use, and where the people they work with can feel comfortable and at ease.
Church Youth Worker, Ben Horrex, now has a dedicated space in the Churchgate Centre to run Youth Groups for 11–18-year-olds in Lutterworth.
“Since its reopening, the Churchgate Community Centre has been transformational for our mission to young people,” said Ben. “We've been able to run regular game nights, Bible studies, and host meals to get to know the teenagers in our community better.
“This term we’re continuing our regular drop-in game nights and starting a new Youth Alpha course, with the centre providing the perfect informal, relaxed environment.”
Other vital community groups and projects such as an Age Concern loneliness café, a bereavement group and a new soup kitchen are all underway. St Mary’s is looking forward to seeing the community centre develop and grow in its outreach, and become a ‘significant blessing’ to the local community.