Progress made at Bridgwater Baptist Church in 2023

It was reported last week that Bridgwater Baptist Church had been awarded £102,667.93 thanks to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme which aims to protect and support religious buildings.

It was one of 13 churches in the Bridgwater area to receive a share of the UK Government's £42 million conservation fund.

Earlier in 2023, Bridgwater Baptist Church was awarded a £220,000 grant by Hinkley Point C.

In August, the church completed its 'Energise' project using grant money and internal fundraising efforts.

The project saw the opening of a new Enterprise Hub, made up of eight affordable offices at the top of the building to be utilised by local small businesses or start up enterprises - all eight of these offices are now in use.

At the time of the opening, Reverend Tim Langdon said: "We want to support start-up companies and organisations that really want to help the community.

"On the top floor we have our enterprise hub with eight affordable offices - they’ve all been taken so it really shows the need is there.”

The grant money also helped the church to provide lift access to all floors of the building.

Perhaps most exciting of all, the previously derelict cellar at the church was converted into a 'calm and welcoming' a Wellbeing Café/Coffee Bar.

Visitors at the wellbeing café when it first opened in 2023. (Image: Somerset Community Foundation)The wellbeing café is currently open only on Fridays from 10am until 2pm, but Bridgwater Baptist Church hope to soon have it open on other days, and are currently seeking a paid project worker to enable this.

Amelia Thompson, senior programmes manager at Somerset Community Foundation, said: "While the offices offer affordable space for start-ups and other organisations, the wellbeing café supports people’s mental health in a safe and welcoming environment.

“Funding projects like Energise enable organisations to create long-lasting community-led services to people across the area."