A NEW ROAD for BRIXHAM URC

Brixham is a town situated on the South Devon coastline. It is principally known for it’s fishing industry and has an international reputation for the variety of high quality fish it supplies to many top restaurants. The South Devon coastline attracts many visitors from all over the world and is renown for areas of natural beauty, places of interest and mild climate. The three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham are known as Torbay and are often referred to as the ‘English Riviera’. Brixham, with a population of around 19,000, including the nearby villages of Churston and Galmpton is the smallest of the three towns. The many visitors to the area contribute to local seasonal employment and the economy. However Brixham, like many other fishing communities, has felt the harsh realities of the industries decline and this, amongst other things, has contributed to the difficult scenario of lack of regular employment and affordable housing.

The challenge for the local church is seen as it tries to show the love and compassion of Christ to people who are increasingly being torn apart by unemployment, poverty, homelessness, drug and alcohol problems, anti social behaviour and broken relationships. At Brixham URC we have been asking God to help us find ways to effectively show His love in practical ways to our community.

Re-Location: New Vocation'

Early in March 2008 negotiations between South Western Synod and Co-op Funeral Services resulted in Brixham URC acquiring a building which, when altered and refurbished, would provide space for the church to develop new ministries within the local community as a fresh expression of the love of God. The move from our previous traditional grade 2 listed church building on Bolton Street was not without sadness but the difficulties of maintaining the building and overcoming the issues of disabled access were significant.

The New Road building stands with a pub on one side and a restaurant on the other. Within thirty yards are the traffic lights of Bolton Cross, right in the centre of Brixham. The local bus stops right outside our front door. Not exactly a location for those who want a meditative ministry; rather a location for those who want a church in the market-place.

The building, which includes level access and some limited parking, comprises a foyer area capable of seating forty people at a squeeze, two smaller rooms, a disabled toilet, and a large space to the rear capable of seating 120-150 people. Above the foyer is a two-bedroomed flat with separate access on a different street. Before the property became a Funeral Parlour it was the town Post Office, with the foyer as reception and the large room as the sorting office.

God had been very faithful in providing the money to get us this far but as you know complying with all the present day building regulations does not come cheap. We wanted to do the job properly by prayer and God's grace there was enough to start refurbishing.

THE STORY from MARCH 2008 . . . .

This is how it was !

   

November 2008 we moved into worship in an unrefurbished room. In the New Year planning permission was given to refurbish the main meeting area. In addition Church members worked very hard to redecorate the front Foyer area now in regular use for small meetings and groups

The work needed to be done comes in 3 phases:

1. Completion of the main worship and meetings area, including a suspended ceiling and a kitchenette, which would serve both the meetings area and the foyer.

This phase has been completed and the rooms and kitchenette
are well used for both Church and community activities

 

2. An entrance and toilet annexe - needed to ensure that, when we are letting our rooms people have separate access for entry, and access to toilets and kitchen facilities.

Saturday 20th February 2016 Brixham URC had a grand opening of our new entrance.
Our MP Dr Sarah Wollaston did the honours, supported by Paul Addison, Leader of Brixham Town Council. We also gave a cheque for £700 to Brixham Does Care. Lots of the community groups who use our building joined in the fun

 

3. A main kitchen extension, for larger events, with a storeroom attached.

This phase is still part of the vision but will require significant resources and funding for it to become a reality. God is good and we continue in faith.