Wesley Memorial Church reaching out to support the community in Oxford city centre

Wesley Memorial Church is a Christian community whose members are motivated by their faith to use their resources, including time and premises, to apply their insights and values of the gospel through worship and service. Examples include serving refreshments during the week to the general public, many of whom are elderly people. Rainbow House (established 1985) is a drop-in centre for children under five with their carers enabling children to play, have meals and use baby-care facilities.

Why the community needs this charity

By continuing to provide Wednesday Coffee, Friday Lunchbreak, Rainbow House and space for the Oxford Phab Club in improved premises, we are making a statement about the welcome that God offers to all especially to those most in need. By enhancing and extending the current premises we are able to allow for new ideas and developments in the future. The difference we make is to assist those who may be lonely or vulnerable to meet with others and receive mutual support.

Results and outcomes

The current cost of our Open Doors Capital project is £1.24m. We need to raise this sum before we can commence the building works, hopefully during 2012.

Latest activities and projects

Open Doors

To enclose the area between the Church and the John Wesley Room with a part-glazed roof and to take our entrance with automatic doors closer to New Inn Hall Street. To provide toilets for women on the ground floor and storage and cycle racks at the rear of the premises. To build a two storey extension behind the main hall for a larger (24sq m) kitchen and a multi-purpose space of 55 sq m above. Solar panels and a rainwater harvesting tank complete the scheme read more