Salford church joins Oasis on 100th anniversary

Salford Central Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary next weekend and embrace its future as it becomes part of Oasis UK, the charity founded by Steve Chalke MBE in 1985.

The church, one of Salford's major landmarks, was established in 1907 as Salford Central Mission, part of the United Reformed Church denomination, and was a thriving congregation that played a key role at the heart of the community.

In 1937 alone, more than 1000 people received treatment at the on-site medical facilities, and more than 1,500 benefited from legal support. With a five-a-side football pitch, a gym, and a range of other facilities and events on site, it was a true community hub.

The journey towards recapturing that role will be marked this weekend as the church's new 'shop front' opens, bringing new services to the community. This will include the Hub Café, a drop-in centre and a new church office.

The church will be led by new leaders, Mark and Jessie Greer, who have moved from Florida to take up this role. While the congregation size has decreased in recent years, Mark Greer, born in Leeds, has said the church will build on its past to rediscover its role at the heart of the Salford community.

"The history of Salford Central Church is one of a congregation engaged with its community. Now we are faced with the challenge of how to recapture that original ethos and vision for the 21st century. Jessie and I have felt so welcomed by the church and are excited about it moving forward into the future," he said.

Oasis already has a significant local presence, as it is sponsoring a nearby Academy, which will replace the existing Hope High School, and be rebuilt on Salford Quays as Oasis Academy Media City UK. It is due to open in 2009.

As part of Oasis, Salford Central Church will work towards becoming an open and welcoming presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering holistic care and support to the community.

Steve Chalke MBE, founder of Oasis, said the church presented an exciting new challenge: "Four years ago Oasis became responsible for developing and leading a church in central London, Church.co.uk/Waterloo, at the time known as Christ Church and Upton Chapel. Its small congregation was looking at the possibility of closure but over the last four years we have seen the church grow and flourish with a thriving and diverse congregation of all age groups and ethnicities.

"Salford Central Church presents the team at Oasis with a new challenge, but one which together we look forward to."