A mosque has given £52,000 to help transform a neglected United Reformed Church building into a thriving community centre.
The Levenshulme Inspire centre in Manchester will feature a community café, meetings rooms, a media enterprise centre, social housing apartments and worship space for the congregation, according to Ekklesia.
Leader of the URC congregation, the Rev Ed Cox, said the centre would serve some of the most disadvantaged people in the community.
The money is being donated to the project by the Woodfield Avenue Bohra community after international Bohra leader, Mohammed Burhanuddin, paid a recent visit to the church.
Rev Cox said the mosque’s donation symbolised the strength of inter-faith relationships in the community.
He said: “The relationship between the church and the mosque began with plans to develop a joint youth club which, we hope, will now come to fruition when the centre opens later this year.”
Kate Chappell, director of the centre, said the centre would celebrate the diversity of the area and bring people together.
“It’s wonderful to see the community pulling together to make Levenshulme a better place for us all. The level of support has by far exceeded our expectations,” she said.
“We look forward to working further with all members of the community in shaping the activities of our vibrant community hub.”
Additional financial support has been given by Manchester City Council and The Big Lottery Fund.
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.