Fountains Church Bradford have completed the final phase of their building project, and celebrated with an evening sharing their space and story with the city and district of Bradford.
Some 70 civic leaders, community representatives and other church leaders gathered in Fountains’ newly completed upper auditorium on the evening of Thursday, September 26, where they heard of the vision of Fountains Church and the journey the team have been on to get to this point.
The Rt Revd Toby Howarth, the Bishop of Bradford, welcomed everyone to the event, and started by sharing how the journey of Fountains has begun, with prayer for a new church in the centre of the city, a prayer echoed by other churches and Bradford Cathedral.
Bishop Toby said: “I think of Bradford City Park as a smile, and it’s so good to have fixed this ‘broken tooth’ in that smile.
“This journey has demanded an amazing amount of work, resilience, generosity and love, and I’m incredibly grateful to all who have made it happen, including people from all over the city and district and the Church Commissioners.
“Our vision is to be a blessing to Bradford, showing, as we do from all our churches, the love of Jesus, and service to our communities.”
After a short video sharing more of Fountains’ journey, Bishop Toby joined with the Ven Dr Andy Jolley, Archdeacon of Bradford, and the Revd Linda Maslen, Vicar of Fountains, in a discussion of the project.
Archdeacon Andy spoke about the discernment that went into finding a model of church that worked in the centre of Bradford, while Bishop Toby agreed that the aim of Fountains is to be a church built in conversation with the rest of the area, listening and responding rather than dictating.
Revd Linda said: “I have found joy in thinking about what it means to worship God in Bradford, with its beautiful diversity.
“Our challenge has been working out how to reach out, meet and connect with all the different groups of people that make up our city and district.
“This building was used for so much darkness, so it is so encouraging that we can do this work to renew, restore and redeem it.
“Particularly during these challenging times, we want to work with everyone to offer support to all communities.”
One ministry Fountains Church is looking to develop is work with the business, arts and civic communities of the city and area.
Bishop Toby said: “We’re all on this journey together, especially as Bradford and its district is the UK City of Culture 2025.
“Bradford is changing the narrative that has taken hold in past years, and this is a palpable change I think felt by all on this journey.
“Our dream is that Fountains is part of the network of churches taking part in this journey, generously serving each other and the wider area.”
Archdeacon Andy said: “God has done way more in the last five years than I could have imagined, and I’m excited for the next five years, and what dreams might be fulfilled.”
The evening included an opportunity for people to tour the new spaces at the church, and time for positive conversations about the future of Bradford and its districts.
To find out more about Fountains, please click here.