The Salthouse church opened its doors for the first-time last weekend. However, the place of worship was previously a Lincoln nightclub.
Co-Op hall has been deserted since 2009 after the closure of the nightclub, Central Park. However, as of last Sunday [18th] it has reopened for the St Swithin’s Church.
Planning to restore the building was submitted in April 2019, but required the renovation of the roof, windows, and the whole ground floor before it could be opened for the church to use. The planning application was submitted by the Lincoln Diocesan Trust and the Board of Finance at St Swithin’s.
With the Salthouse finally open Reverend Jim Prestwood said- “We don’t think of the Salthouse as a building we gather in but rather a facility which facilitates both that gathering and scattering in order to love and serve the city and beyond.”
“One of the things St Swithin’s was known for was throwing open the doors of the church, hosting parties for those not usually invited to parties and extending a welcome to anyone and everyone.”
St Swithin’s was relaunched in 2014, with members meeting for congregation at St Swithin’s square. However, the worship space was closed in the spring of 2017 due to the state of the building and members had to utilise a range of venues across the city until the Salthouse was refurbished.
At full capacity, the Salthouse can hold up to 400 people, although attendance at the service will be reduced to allow social distancing, in consideration of the current pandemic and staying in-line with government guidelines.
A statement from the Diocese of Lincoln said, ‘The opening of the Salthouse is a significant step for the parish and also for the mission and ministry of the diocese to transform lives across greater Lincolnshire.’