Two for one deal - church and supermarket to share building (From Gazette)

Two for one deal - church and supermarket to share building

11:00am Monday 27th July 2009

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A RAPIDLY-growing church will share a building with a discount supermarket.

Kingsland Lexden, a modern, independent church with four congregations across Colchester, could move into the first floor of the old MFI store in London Road, Stanway, by Christmas.

Discount retailer Aldi already has permission to trade from the ground floor.

Minister Neil Loxley said he was delighted at Colchester Council’s approval of the plan, which would enable up to 500 people to attend services.

He said: “The church is growing rapidly, and we’ve been looking at that building for several years and thinking it would be great to be based there.

“When the opportunity arose we investigated, and, because of the financial situation at the moment, we could put in an offer that was acceptable.

“Our next task is to do the fitting out. We hope to have the work finished and to be able to move in before Christmas.”

Mr Loxley said the combination of a church and supermarket was “unusual”, but with most services in the evening he did not expect conflicts.

He continued: “Sunday morning is likely to be the only time when shoppers and worshippers will be there at the same time.

“We will have spaces in the car park for our use and we are grateful to local schools, particularly Lexden Springs, which has allowed us to use its car parks.”

The church moved into its current premises further along London Road in 2006, but the congregation has quickly outgrown it, with 200 people regularly worshipping there.

Mr Loxley said the reason for the church’s popularity was its “inclusive nature”.

He added: “Different people like to worship in different ways. Some people like services that are structured and organised but we think it is a mistake not to use speech and music that is relevant to people’s everyday lives.

“We are a place where everyone is accepted, and we try to allow individuals to connect with God in their own way, with a range of activities to appeal to all ages and interests.”

Kingsland describes itself as an independent church that maintains strong links with other churches in the town. It has congregations in Lexden, Gosbecks, Stanway and Tiptree.

The former MFI building is owned by Lexden Investments, and leased to Aldi and the church.

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