A Norwich city centre church is offering other churches the opportunity to reach up to 10,000 people in one day, with the free use of its building for outreach events.

 

St Stephen’s is located right next to the Chapelfield Shopping Mall and sees over 10,000 people, including hundreds of young people, pass through its church and grounds every Saturday.

 

And now it has extended an open invitation to other local churches to use its facilities and great location to put on events or activities which might appeal to passers-by.

 

PCC secretary, Sally Clarke, said: “When we simply opened the church up, we had over 100 people a day just wandering inside. On Saturdays, the numbers are much higher and in the afternoons, in seems that the whole of Norfolk’s youth descends on Norwich.

 

“Sometimes they just take a short cut through the church and sometimes respond to someone talking to them. One afternoon, there were eight giggling girls who pranced in making such comments as "you don't believe in God do you". Eventually, one of them said you should pray in a church and I offered to pray with them. With that, all eight sat in a pew with hands together and eyes shut while I prayed a few sentences.  It just shows there are great spiritual opportunities if we can give them something they understand.” 

 

Churches are being offered the chance to follow the lead of  Mulbarton Church Youth Group (pictured above) who put on a puppet show at St Stephen’s during the summer holidays.

 

“What we had in mind was a band, group or a bit of drama either in the church or in the churchyard. Whatever it is, it has to be short to get the young people’s interest. We feel we have such an opportunity for outreach and don't want to wait until we have refurbished the church and then wonder what to do,” said Sally.

 

St Stephen's is in the throes of trying to raise £620,000 in order to make the church useable all the year round, including under floor heating powered by geothermal probes to get free heat out of the ground, a proper kitchen and cafe, disabled toilets and lots of space for exhibitions and concerts with considerably fewer pews.

 

It is currently running an Alpha Course on Thursday lunchtimes and, like last year, it has attracted outsiders rather than locals. 

 

If you are interested in discussing the possibilities, please contact Hereward Cooke at cookehd@paston.co.uk or ring 01603 624827.