Salvation Army church finally moves into new home

Members of a Salvation Army church in south-east London made history recently when they finally moved into their new home after 14 years.

The congregation at Bexleyheath, who had been meeting at the nearby Methodist church since 2008, held their first service in the new building earlier this month to the delight of church leader, Major Richard Welch, who arrived in Bexleyheath in the summer.

Richard paid tribute to the patience of the congregation and church leaders over the last 14 years

He said: “I’m amazed The Salvation Army at Bexleyheath have continued to thrive in a building not their own for so long. They have done so well. Sunday 6 February  was a momentous day and I think everybody enjoyed being in their new home .”

Work on the new building began in 2018 before it was postponed due to the pandemic.

An official ceremony is planned for 5 March when the new building will be opened by Anthony and Gillian Cotterill, leaders for The Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland. Other dignitaries including Bexley Mayor James Hunt and Bexleyheath MP Sir David Evennett, will also be in attendance. Previous church leaders will be invited to celebrate the special day, too.

Richard said he is very pleased to be leading The Salvation Army into a new era.

He said: “It is so exciting and such a privilege, a one-off. You don’t get many opportunities to move into new buildings with up to date facilities. The new building has a worship hall upstairs, and two other purpose-built halls, as well as a kitchen. We will be looking to expand our community programme in the future.

“We hope to reopen our mother and toddler group and will also be opening a Come and Meet Each Other (CAMEO) group. We will be working with Bexleyheath Winter Shelter to help feed the homeless between January and March, and hope to introduce our Employment Plus Service in the future.

“We are so excited about what the future holds.”