Families flock to Widnes church (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Widnes church to receive makeover

9:20am Saturday 19th January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

YOUNG families are flocking to Widnes Baptist Church, says a Venezuelan-born minister.

Pastor Nestor Fernandez is confident many more community groups will use his buiding in Deacon Road after a major refurbishment.

A new central heating system, ceiling and carpeting are being installed, thanks to a £27,928 grant from Wren, through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Pastor Fernandez, aged 40, came to Widnes 10 years ago to study for a master’s degree in theology.

He now lives in Halton View with his wife, Louise, and their four daughters, Caroline, aged 10, Abigail, aged eight, Gabriella, aged two and five-month-old Karina.

He said: “Our church was in decline but now this has changed.

“We have become a younger church. We are lively, trendy and welcoming. Around 80-90 per cent of our congregation is young families with children.”

He hopes the new look church will become a distribution centre for Widnes Foodbank.

He added: “We open on Fridays. People come to pray and we listen if they want to talk. People say they feel their burden has been lifted just sharing with us.”

Project manager and church leader, John Petch, aged 64, a retired teacher from Whitstable Park, said: ““This modernisation will make our building warmer and more comfortable.

“As a church, we want to make a difference to people’s lives.We want to be effective and reach people.”

The church wishes to thank Appleton Area Forum, Community First and individuals for contributing towards the £38, 221 project.