Fountains Church is the name of a new Christian worship centre which will overlook Bradford’s City Park.
The Church of England initiative, to be created in a former nightspot near the city’s famous fountains, was announced earlier this year.
Its permanent location will be confirmed this summer, but the newly-christened church will start life at nearby Glyde House next month.
Revd Linda Maslen, who heads the project, explained the choice of name:
“Of course, Fountains Church refers to the wonderful fountains in front of City Hall, but also to ”'Fountains of Living Water" - one of the ways that God describes himself.
“And, like water, we want the church to be a blessing to the people of Bradford bringing life, hope and love.
“Easter also reminds us of our hope found in the resurrected Jesus and how life is springing up around us.
“These thoughts are firmly in the mind of the Fountains Church team,” said Linda, pictured with Rev'd Nathanuel Poole the assistant church leader. They will be joined by Pete Gunstone when he is ordained on June 29.
Pete is currently studying at Cranmer College in Durham Pete is a musician will be moving to Bradford with his wife Kirsten
The pioneering project has been developed by the Bradford Episcopal Area of the Church of England, Diocese of Leeds, supported by £3.1million from the national Church Commissioners’ Strategic Investment Board and £1.5million to be raised from other sources.
Funding will be spread over the next six years and pay for necessary building works, plus the establishment of a strong, energetic church team who will develop a centre of real influence.
Archdeacon Andy Jolley of the Bradford EA said:
“I’m delighted we can announce the name Fountains Church and we hope and pray it will give spiritual refreshment right in the city centre.
Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Revd Toby Howarth added:
“Fountains Church will have a strong Bradford identity: young, entrepreneurial, ethnically and culturally diverse and confident about holding out a clear religious offer and call in the public space.
“It will have a mandate from the start to grow and send folk out to plant new churches and revitalise existing congregations around the area.”
Fountains Church will have its first prayer meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, May 7 at Glyde House, Little Horton Rd, Bradford and all are welcome.
For more details got to https://fountainsbradford.org/