The Church
Community Church is a grade 2 listed Byzantine-style church opened in 1922. Built after the First World War, it is dedicated to the memory of local men who were killed serving in the war, and the names of 169 such men are cast into the bells which hang in the east tower. One bell bears the name of Prince Maurice of Battenberg, the only member of the royal family to fall in the First World War, and one bell is dediated to The Unknown Warrior.
As well as being used by the church, the building is home to community projects run by members of the congregation and other local groups including the Bridges breakfast for homeless people, the Plus Centre offering free computer use and training, the Welcome Centre and the We Are Family Club for young and vulnerabe parents run by local charity Alternatives. Rooms are available to hire for meetings, training courses and events.
The church is trying to repair and restore the buildings, and in November 2011 completed the second phase of repairs to the bricks and roofs, restoring the east tower and the bells. In 2013 we hope to carry out the final phase of high-level repairs to the brickwork and gutters to make the building watertight. We'd also like to try and refurbish the organ. The church is also working to develop the inside of the building to make it a more warm and welcoming place for all local people, especially those who don’t find a welcome elsewhere.
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