Portsmouth church re-launches chill-out zone for Friday night revellers

A church in Portsmouth will open its doors once again to welcome late-night revellers when it re-launches next week.

Friday Fridge was closed temporarily while St Jude’s church in Southsea underwent a major refurbishment, including the installation of a new glass-fronted entrance.

Friday Fridge takes place at the church every first and Friday night of the month. From 10.30pm until 1am, passersby making their way home from local pubs and clubs can drop in and enjoy free coffee and food or engage with God in an encounter zone that features video projections and prayer installations.

The service has proved a hit with locals who regularly stop by to light a candle, say a prayer or chat with the volunteer staff about faith or their personal issues.

St Jude’s is hoping to soon run the service, launched in 2006, every Friday of the month.

Friday Fridge staff member Jim Campbell said passersby were delighted to see the church open so late.

“Over the three and a half years we’ve been running Friday Fridge, hundreds of people have taken advantage of the fact that the church is open at a time that is convenient for them,” he said.

“Some people have become regulars, some might only ever visit once. Some are just grateful for a coffee, while others have told us incredibly moving stories about their life or faith.

“It’s a real privilege to be able to listen to them and hopefully help with any difficulties they are facing.”

The new glass-fronted entrance is part of the first phase of the £2.4 million refurbishment of the Victorian church building. Community rooms for sports, theatre performances and conferences will be added to the ground floor and a new worship area will be built upstairs.