Heath Evangelical Church

“one2two”: a Bridge to the Local Community?

122 is the address number in Whitchurch Road, Cardiff of the property in question and “one2two” stayed as a name for the complex. Significantly, it is next door to Heath Evangelical Church, indeed it is physically attached by an atrium-like feature. In all it houses a Christian bookshop, a coffee shop (with seating available in addition in “the link” and a patio outside) and upstairs a lounge for meetings of up to 30 persons and a church office.

The church’s vision grew following an approach by the baker next door who said he was selling up and was offering us first refusal. That was back in early 2006. This offer was interpreted as part of the Lord’s providential leading. We saw the attractions of moving our current book shop and tea room out of rented, somewhat dated premises, on the opposite side of the busy shopping street some 50 yards away. But our great desire was that the very significant financial outlay involved (all through the congregation’s sacrificial giving) should realise something more than upgraded facilities. We wanted to make a more significant impact for Christ within the local community.

“one2two” was finally completed early in 2011 after some construction delays. God willing, it will be fully paid for by the end of the year, thanks to a totally unexpected legacy wiping out the residual debt. Looking back over several months of operation, there have been some encouraging developments. Takings at the coffee shop are three times that of the old tea room, despite plenty of local competition. Workers from a central government office, parents from the Welsh school opposite, even traffic wardens , members of the church and other local churches are among regular customers. Customers have appreciated the modern, light and airy surroundings and attractive selection of drinks and snacks. Lunch times especially can be a challenge to Maddy, the manager, and her busy posse of volunteers. The book shop manager, Robin, records increased sales also though fairly modest by comparison. The decline in Christian reading and competition from Amazon, etc make it a difficult climate within which to operate.

What about other developments? The link area has wifi and a leaflet drop to local houses before the students return in the Autumn will hopefully coax some to regard it as a pleasant place to read, chat or study. Excitingly, the lounge has been well used for international student Bible studies, English language studies and for meetings for local Christians. The link area has proved to be an attractive venue for evangelistic events and makes an excellent conduit to the church hall beyond for formal meals and meetings. There are plans to open the facility in the evening for parents whose children are in clubs at the church.

So is it a “bridge to the local community”? Its juxtaposition has made it more obvious that the local church is not just a building open for Sunday services but a community of Christians open “24/7”. We have had more contact with people living and working in the area but we long to share Christ with them and to see more coming under the sound of the Gospel. We have made a start but we need sanctified imagination to use this facility well and for our triune God to glorify himself through many unreached people being saved.

Church Library

The church also has a library, which is situated at the back of the church hall and is open after the evening service. Please feel free to take a look and borrow some books.