AFTER hearing a "calling from God", a minister hasn't looked back as her church constantly brings together a variety of community groups in St Helens.
Built in 1976, the Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church has been a part of St Helens town centre for almost five decades and has grown to offer much more than religious services.
While weekly mass has been ever-present, the church in the centre of St Helens also provides coffee mornings, lunch clubs, and memory cafes to bring people together and combat social isolation.
A wide range of groups also utilise the town centre space such as St Helens Youth Brass Band and the Haydock Male Choir, Odd Fellows and Tai Chi groups, arts and craft societies, as well as the council's Adult and Community Learning courses.
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Church Minister Cath Atkinson, who also manages the Achurches in Haresfinch and Rainford, said: "We have so many different groups using the space here so there is a real community feel about the church, which I love. said: "We have so many different groups using the space here so there is a real community feel about the church, which I love.
"I think it's a great opportunity for us to offer our space out to different groups because we want to be an inclusive church where everybody is welcome.
"Since covid I would say there has been an increase in people coming in and the main issues we see are social isolation, mental health issues, or the cost of living crisis.
"So we try to support people the best we can, signpost to other services, and strengthen the connections between the different groups."
Rev. Atkinson, from Burnley, formerly worked as a librarian but took up the Minister role as she felt that her "calling from God" could no longer be ignored.
The Reverend added: "I worked in libraries for years but I always sensed that calling from God.
"I tried to ignore it but it got to the point where I thought if I don't do it now then I never will, and I will take a step back if there are signs that it's not meant to be.
"But I joined as Minister just before the pandemic and every door seems to have opened for me and the church so I haven't looked back.
"It's all about Faith at the end of the day, so we try to offer that space to bring people together and share the good news."
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