Salvation Army Oxford Looks for '21st Century' Church

The Salvation Army Oxford branch is looking for a new home to "meet the demands of a 21st century church".

"Our current location is down a back water in the city centre," said Major Helen Wolstenholme, one of the leaders of The Salvation Army in Oxford.

"Although the building is in the city centre, it doesn't have the same high profile as our former building in Castle Street.

"People don't know we are here," she said.

The Salvation Army has been based in Oxford since 1881. It is now hoped that any new property found will be based within a community where The Salvation Army feels it will best be able to do its work.

Major Wolstenholme said: "We would like to establish projects that have a social outreach, something we haven't been able to do in our current location due to the lack of a surrounding community."

She said the council was keen to see the group remain within the city centre, but The Salvation Army had not ruled out the possibility of relocating to Headington, Rose Hill or another residential area within the ring-road.

Major Wolstenholme's husband Mark, a captain in the Oxford Salvation Army branch, agreed the move would give the branch time to think about the future.

Capt Wolstenholme said: "We aim to move to the South Oxford Christian Centre, engage with the community around the church, and so, develop our deep desire to be a family, caring church."

The arrival of the group at the centre was welcomed by the Rev Malcolm Goodspeed, who was active in ensuring a smooth transition between the old and new homes.

He said: "I am hoping that the Salvation Army friends soon feel 'at home' in the Baptist church centre.

"The new arrangement will help them continue to engage with the community and to provide a practical expression of the Christian faith that will be both relevant and meaningful to people living nearby."