Situated on Keynsham High Street, the Victoria Centre is open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am until 12 noon serving tea, coffee, squash and biscuits to thirsty shoppers, providing an ideal atmosphere to come and relax.
A team of dedicated volunteers help to make this possible each day, so you are assured of a friendly welcome as you come in for some refreshment. The church is set up like a cafe with tables and chairs and there is always someone available to sit for a chat or to pray with you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE COFFEE ROOM 2018
At 10.00am on 6th July 1998 the new glass doors at the front of Victoria were opened to welcome the public to the new coffee room. On duty were a coffee maker, a welcomer and a listening ear but they were not exactly rushed off their feet as no one came in for the first 45 minutes. Four tables had been prepared and five people came in on that first morning – all Church members. We held onto our faith and slowly the numbers grew as did the number of tables – from four, to six, to eight and then to the ten that we now have. Very slowly the passing public started to come in and soon began to outnumber the Church members. Our mission into the community was starting to happen! After a few months the Shoppers Service started on a Thursday and initially five folk huddled together round the organ for the Worship – we did not want to disturb those drinking coffee! How times have changed, as we can now prepare anything up to a hundred drinks on some days and Shoppers Service has become a feature of Worship in the High Street.
On August 9th 2018 the 20th birthday of the coffee morning was celebrated at Shoppers Service led by our Minister, Jane. What a joyous occasion it was as we gave thanks to God for all those who have come into the Church over the years together with all of those who have served them. On a table at the front of the Church alongside a lit candle was a list of the names of those who had worked in the coffee room over the years but were no longer with us.
The final Hymn, ‘Let us build a house where love can dwell’ summed up the atmosphere, with the rousing chorus ‘All are welcome, All are welcome, All are welcome in this place.’
We thank Him for all that has passed and look to Him for all that is to come.