December 2004 - Evangelicals Now - Christian Newspaper

A marvellous conversion took place this autumn. A building which was a pub has been transformed into a Christian Community Centre.

Abandoned, derelict and for sale, in March 2000 'The Plume of Feathers', a well-known pub in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, was at the point of structural collapse.

It is three doors away from West Street Baptist Church & Christian Centre but, significantly, is also adjacent to its land from the rear of the pub. With the arrival of their new pastor, Mark Lawrence, in 2000, the church began to make serious enquiries with the brewery owners.

Prime position

The church building itself occupies a prime position in the heart of the community, and the church members began to pray about buying and converting the pub into a Christian Community Centre as a major tool from which to live out and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. With a growing congregation of around 275 people, the vast majority of whom live in and around Dunstable, and a high proportion of families and younger adults, the church was convinced the time was right to take this bold step of faith.

Four-and-a-half years later with the direct involvement of the entire congregation in different ways, a purchase and extensive refurbishment project has now been completed. Andrew Selous, the local MP and a committed evangelical, officially opened 'The Way' Christian Community Centre on October 3.

This followed a 10.30 am Commissioning Service at West Street Baptist Church & Christian Centre in the presence of local community leaders, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Dunstable Town Council, and professionals who had worked on the building project. Preaching on John 3.16, the Mark Lawrence expounded the gospel which alone is the power of God to save men and women through the gift of his Son, and is, therefore the greatest motivation for God's people to share the gospel with the whole community.

Renamed 'The Way' because it stands on the ancient Icknield Way through Dunstable, the building is dedicated at all times to reaching the local community with the love of Christ.

Reach out in every way

Mark Lawrence explained: 'Our church has stood for the gospel of Jesus Christ in Dunstable for over 150 years. At the heart of our ministry is the weekly exposition of God's Word to the gathered congregation, and the conviction that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, drives our desire to reach out into our community in every way we can to share the love of Christ.'

He added: 'We decided to buy the Plume of Feathers pub, retain its historic and community-friendly image, but develop it as a Christian Community Centre. The firm backing of our local Christian MP, along with positive local media coverage, has helped us to gain community-wide acceptance.'

'The Way' has an expanding range of activities for the people in Dunstable and the surrounding area. The jewel-in-the-crown of events in 'The Way' is the weekly 'Christianity Explored' group to which all other activities are to differing degrees directed, whether 'Toddlers!' (twice weekly), the youth and children's work, 'Senior Moments' (for the over-55s), and the daily opening of 'The Way' with free refreshments as a means of meeting people and publicising the activities. The response from the public has been very positive so far.

The church at West Street (affiliated to the FIEC) thanks God for his extraordinary grace towards them.

Editor's note:
West Street in Dunstable is not the only church to have purchased and converted a pub. Bethesda Baptist Church in the centre of Ipswich has done the same. Called The 'Key Centre', it does a good trade in snack lunches, and its 'Listening Service', which gives passers-by the opportunity to come and talk through their problems, is proving very popular.

Glory to God in the HIGHeST.

A pub transformed into a Christian Community Centre in Dunstable

Prime position

Reach out in every way

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