Cam’s The Quarry Chapel may be small, but it is not short on ambition and has launched a £50k appeal to help it develop its role as a place of welcome and community focus.
The 150 year-old old chapel is looking for grants and donors to make it fully accessible and add new toilet and an upgraded kitchen to enable it to better serve its local community.
The United Reformed Church chapel has been behind recent community initiatives such as the 3D Advent Calendar, I-Spy Cam and Dursley books, Cam & Dursley Photographic Rainbows and the Pop-up Creative Cafes. As well as a place of worship it sees its role as helping to develop community identity and cohesion. Earlier this month it became the first church across Cam and Dursley to agree to conduct same sex marriage ceremonies as the chapel looks to become a place where everyone feels welcome.
Minister the Revd Simon Helme said: “Living through a pandemic has underlined to us all the value of our communal identity and lives. Jesus was a man of radical inclusion and we at the Quarry have a vision of being a safe place where people regardless of their faith or no faith, know that they are truly welcome.
“The vote on same sex marriages illustrates that while the Quarry is a beautiful old building, it is also a church seeking to live out its faith today, in the 21st century context with 21st century facilities. Everyone is welcome to come along and see what we are doing or to call me and ask questions.”
The Quarry’s part-time development worker Abi Nicol said: “It is so exciting to finally be able to come together again as a community and we have a vision of how this little building can become a powerful place of connection.”
“Many people speak fondly of the Chapel as a place of peace and beauty in an area where there are few community facilities. The improvements will ensure that everyone can access the Chapel and we can host a wider range of events.“
“I hope people will join with us on this journey as we seek to secure and enhance the Quarry Chapel’s role in bringing people together after the shared experience of the trauma of Covid. We believe the Wellbeing Centre will offer our local community a wealth of support and opportunities.”
“Do look out for future fundraising opportunities. As we continue in our aim of bringing light and love into the community.”
Forthcoming activities at the Quarry include Coffee Mornings (first Saturday of the month 10-12pm), art & craft sessions and Mindful Movement. Worship takes place fortnightly at the Quarry Chapel at 2.45pm on a Sunday. Minister Simon Helme can be reached on 01453 542344.