The former Pattern Store in Swindon is to be turned into a new church for the town, the Diocese of Bristol has announced.
It is a plan by the Diocese of Bristol to support the regeneration of the area, while connecting with people across Swindon who are not part of a church.
The Pattern Church, as it will be known, is part of a major strategic initiative by the Diocese of Bristol to support its Creating connections vision. It will be a Resourcing Church; resourcing churches partner with other churches in an area to offer support and resources.
The team at Pattern Church will be led by Revd Joel Sales. Joel who worked as a pastor at churches in Bath and Cape Town and, since ordination, has worked in churches in South West London and, most recently, at Holy Trinity Brompton Church.
It is planned that Pattern Church will open around Christmas 2018.
The Pattern Store is a Grade 2 listed building constructed in 1897 for the Great Western Railway. The building held the drawings and papers for the designs associated with the railway until the railway works closed in 1986.
The basement was used as a mess room during World War I, as a canteen between 1939 to 1960 and more recently the building has been a bar and Italian restaurant.
Joel, who is married to Cath and has two young sons, said: “Cath and I feel deeply privileged to be invited by the Bishop of Swindon to take part in this exciting new initiative. We look forward to working alongside all the other churches in loving and serving the people of Swindon.”
“It is an inspiring and challenging vision which is receiving significant funding from the central Church of England as well as the Diocese of Bristol. It is a venture of considerable faith and reflects what Jesus Christ has laid on many of our hearts for this very special town.”