Since its official launch in February 2024, Gas Street Longbridge has been at the forefront of the revitalisation of the historic St. John the Baptist Church in Longbridge, Birmingham. The journey, which began with a partnership between the congregation and Gas Street Church nearly two years ago, has seen remarkable developments, both in terms of infrastructure and community impact.
St. John the Baptist Church, originally founded in 1957 as a church plant from St. Nicolas Church, King's Norton, was established with a mission to reach the local community with the good news of Jesus Christ. An article from the time even described the church being full to the brim within its first week, with predictions that the space would soon be too small to hold the growing congregation. Fast forward to today, Gas Street Longbridge proudly upholds its tradition of reaching out to the community and fostering growth. With a revitalised vision, it is dedicated to bringing about positive transformation within the community.
Infrastructure Investment for Growth
The church building has seen significant investments in its infrastructure. Essential renovations have included the installation of new electrical systems, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and secondary glazing to ensure that the building meets modern standards, ensuring it meets contemporary safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility regulations. The original congregation, despite their small size, worked hard to raise nearly £40,000 for the project. As a result of their efforts, the roof has been successfully replaced.
As the new congregation continues to grow, plans are underway to upgrade the adjoining community hall to better serve the increasing number of attendees, especially with the rising demand for children's ministry on Sundays. "We're already running out of space," said a representative of the church, emphasising the importance of these upcoming developments.
A Flourishing Congregation
Since its relaunch, Gas Street Longbridge has seen extraordinary growth in its congregation, regularly welcoming over 130 adults and 30 children on Sundays. In a recent service, over 200 people attended, marking a milestone since the initial launch. Beyond Sunday services, the church is actively engaging the community throughout the week with a range of outreach initiatives.
Engaging the Community
Mondays at Gas Street Longbridge feature a job club aimed at supporting local residents in securing employment by offering assistance with CV writing and job search skills. The afternoon sees the church opening its doors for a community craft club, a space for people to connect while enjoying creative activities.
Wednesdays are particularly busy, with volunteers serving tea and coffee outside the church to meet and greet passersby. The church also runs a stay-and-play session for young families in the morning, and in the afternoon, an after-school club where dinner is provided for children and their families.
Reaching New Heights
Over the summer, Gas Street Longbridge ran a two-week community holiday club, providing meals and activities for over 30 children from the local community. These programs have been instrumental in establishing the church's presence in the community and fostering relationships with local families.
The church has witnessed several individuals come to faith since February, with baptisms taking place and many others making commitments to follow Jesus. The church recently completed an Alpha course, where participants explored the Christian faith in a welcoming and open environment.