Northleigh Primary School has provided the congregation of St Peter’s Church with a warm home this Winter. The church will be using the school hall for its Sunday worship during the Winter months creating a warm and welcoming space while a new heating system is installed in the church.
Priest in Charge, James Williams said: “When the heating failed at St Peter’s Church earlier this year, just months after we’d fundraised to repair the roof, we thought we were in for a cold Winter. We were absolutely delighted when Northleigh Primary offered us the use of their hall while we explore sustainable, environmental responsible heating options.”
St Peter’s Church only reopened for worship in 2020, with a new congregation gathering around a pattern of contemporary worship. Over the past year there has been a steady and encouraging sense of growth, with people beginning to explore faith for the first time and others who had recently moved into the area finding a new church home at St Peter’s Church.
Over the past three years, the parish has built close relationships with Northleigh and St Matthias primary schools, as well as Dyson Perrins Church of England Academy through shared worship, chaplaincy, and community projects. At Northleigh Primary’s recent Harvest Festival, pupils, parents, and church members came together in a joyful act of worship and thanksgiving.
Helen Hadley, head of school at Northleigh said: “We were saddened to hear about the heating difficulties at St Peter’s Church and felt strongly that we wanted to help in any way we could. Our partnership is one we deeply value, and we’ve always felt uplifted and supported by the church community. We’re delighted to be able to offer our school hall as a temporary space for worship during the winter months, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our shared commitment to community and connection.”
With a provisional offer of funding, the parish is now progressing plans to install a new, sustainable system that will serve the church for generations to come.
James continued: “Though the challenge remains, there is a deep confidence that God, who has already provided so faithfully, will continue to build something good among us. As plans take shape for worship at Northleigh, there is a renewed sense of hope among the congregation. What began as a setback has become an opportunity to live out what lies at the heart of our parish life: faith shared in community, expressed through welcome, partnership, and prayer.”
