News / St Andrew's
Community bid to buy ‘vital’ church hall
A group of residents are coming together to gauge support for buying a church hall amid fears the building could be sold and fall out of community use, meaning a “vital” space for people will be lost.
The building on Somerville Road overlooking St Andrew’s Park was put up for sale in spring but has since been designated an asset of community value meaning its owners cannot sell it until November, opening a window of opportunity for a group of locals who want to raise funds to buy it.
It is currently owned by B&A Church Bristol which has a collection of ten ‘little churches’ across the city where people meet regularly “with a shared purpose to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether that’s feeding the homeless, discipling young believers, workplace mission or helping people coming out of prison”.
is needed now More than ever
B&A Church vicar Wayne Massey said the organisation no longer needs the church and is working with locals who are exploring the possibility of purchasing it to be run as a local hall.
A community meeting took place in March by those who want to keep the venue in the hands of the community – photo: St Andrew’s Community Hub
For the community to buy the church hall, which is available for hire, the group has set up St Andrew’s Community Hub, a cooperative for community benefit to enable fundraising from members of the community who wish to back the bid.
Speaking about the group’s aims, the leader of the project Hannah Ball, said: “It would be amazing to secure this space for the community.
“There’s really nowhere else within the St Andrew’s area that people can hire for exercise, meetings, hobbies and parties.”
“I also worry about what will happen to all the groups that currently meet there. Will they be pushed out of the area?”
In a statement, Massey said: “In 2023, we moved from St Andrew’s Park to a new site at 279 Gloucester Road.
“This move has enabled us to grow our work with the local community and further afield in Bristol.
“Each week we welcome hundreds of people from young families to ex-offenders and from teenagers to refugees from the Ukraine.
“In addition we give over 400 hot meals to other communities across the city.
“As we no longer require the hall at St Andrew’s Park we are seeking to sell it. Our hope is that the building will continue to be an asset for others.
“We are working with the local community who are exploring the possibility of purchasing the hall to be run as a local hall.”
The building comprises a large church hall which Bristol24/7 understands was constructed in the late 1800s.
St Andrew’s Community Hub is holding a public meeting in the church hall on Monday at 7.30pm to gauge support for their plans.
To register support for the community bid of B&A Church Hall, click here
Main photo: Sofia Webster
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