Pattern Church celebrated their first live worship services in the building on Sunday 20 September 2020. Pattern is a new church in the historic Great Western Railways Pattern Store building in the centre of Swindon. The building has been completely renovated and restored in a £2.1 million project to create a new worship and community space.
On Sunday, the congregation were warmly welcomed by a panda and children were encouraged to use the newly installed slide to take them down to the worship space. The Pattern team, families, couples, and other members worshipped together, albeit without singing or loud praise and in a Covid-19 secure way.
During one of the services, Paul, a member of clergy at Pattern Church, spoke about his journey to faith. Amy, a member who had previously joined an Alpha group and who had absolutely no previous experience of church, also spoke very openly and honestly about its value for her.
The church now has around 250 members, celebrates three vibrant contemporary Sunday services and hosts Alpha groups which explore the faith. The next Alpha Online starts this Wednesday 23 September and you can join here: https://patternchurch.org/alpha
Revd Joel Sales, Senior Leader at Pattern Church, said:
“One huge highlight was meeting in person with people who have joined Pattern Church, are exploring faith, or have become Christians with us online during lockdown. It was wonderful to see the church full of people of all ages, we had so many families with us praying and meeting with God together. It was strange not being able to sing, but there was a real sense that God was with us
“We are so thankful to everyone who has contributed to the building work, financially, through helping out, or in prayer, and we are so thankful to God that we’re finally here. It was great to have people in the building, and simultaneously online. One church; online and in-person”.
The Right Rev Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, said:
“Joining Pattern Church as they opened the building to congregations for the first time following refurbishment was such a special moment. Turning the dream we believe God has given us for the people of Swindon into reality feels like it has taken another step”
Pattern Church would like to thank Allchurches Trust, Growing Lives, Church of England Strategic Development Fund, Arkells Family Brewers, Beatrice Laing Family Trust, Headley Trust, members of Pattern Church plus others who made these building-works possible.
See patternchurch.org for more details.