St George Church, Gloucester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George Church |
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Front of St George Church in February 2024
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| Location | Gloucester |
St George Church is a special Anglican church located on Grange Road in Tuffley, Gloucestershire, England. It is a place where people gather for Christian worship. The church follows common Anglican traditions, with some changes for different seasons of the year.
Contents
The Church's Story
Early Days: Building a Community Place
The St George Church community started in 1941. At first, they didn't have a proper hall. But in 1942, a wooden building called Whaddon Church Hall was moved to Grange Road to serve as their first hall.
In 1947, a temporary church building was put up. By 1948, this area became an official church district. The temporary building was made bigger in 1950. That's when the church was named after Saint George.
New Buildings and Growth
A house for the church leader, called a vicarage, was built on Grange Road in 1954. A new brick church building was completed in 1956. This building was actually planned to be a church hall. There were even ideas to connect it to a much larger church with a covered walkway, called a cloister.
However, the bigger church was never built. So, the new brick hall became the main church building. The older, temporary church then became the church hall.
Becoming a Parish and Community Hub
In 1967, the church district officially became the Parish of St George. This meant it was a more established part of the church's wider organization.
Between 1970 and 1971, the old church hall was taken down. Many new rooms were added to the church building. These included a new hall, meeting rooms, a kitchen, and restrooms. At this time, the church was also known as the St George's Centre. It was a very important place for the local community.
Modern Changes and Expansion
In the late 1970s, two houses for church leaders were built near the main church. Then, in 1981, the church building was changed and made much larger. Most of the west wall was removed. In its place, a special area for worship called a sanctuary and a smaller chapel were built.
Inside, walls were taken down to create a large, open space. The new parts of the church were officially opened by the Bishop of Gloucester.
The Vicarage House
The vicarage is a modern house with four bedrooms. It stands on its own and is located on Grange Road, just north-east of the church building. This is where the church's vicar lives.
The Parish of St George Community
The Parish of St George is home to about 9,600 people. It includes parts of the areas known as Podsmead and Lower Tuffley. The busy A38 road runs right through the middle of the parish. This community is one of the areas in England that needs the most support. It is also one of the areas in the Diocese of Gloucester that faces the most challenges.
