Coffee for all

Bishop Edward and the Mayor of Salisbury attended the relaunch of a church-run community café in a city neighbourhood last Thursday.

CrossBar is a pop up café run by St Mark’s Church which operates every Thursday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Barrington Centre in Bishopdown Farm, providing a place for local people to grab quality coffee and cake, connect with one another, and, if they wish to, keep in touch with the Church and access spiritual support.

Bishop Edward said, “This is a classic example of church outreach: warmth, friendliness, welcome and shelter. This kind of project brings a smile to my face, because it shows God's love to people in a very real way. Long may it continue!”

The Revd Jim Findlay, Vicar of St Mark’s and Laverstock, added, “We’ve been running since September but had a brief pause around the turn of the year while the hall was done up. 

“We ran a well-attended carol service in December and our future plans include live music events.

“We want this to be a resource for everyone on Bishopdown Farm regardless whether or not they have a faith or whatever their faith is. It is important that the Church gets out and meets people where they are – both geographically and spiritually.”