Project Evangelist Hall to Improve St. Luke's Church

“This was a part of our lives,” says Jim Haaland.

The 85-year-old has been a member of Burton Stone Lane Church since 1979 and shares happy times with his wife and children.

However, he acknowledges that the hall, built in 1967 and lasts only 25 years, is “really outdated.”

St. Luke's Church's Church Hall is a Clifton evangelist whose new project aims to replace it (Image: Dylan Connell) The project to replace the hall with a new multipurpose hub was launched on Saturday (March 22nd).

The hall provides space for mothers and toddlers to gather together. The warm spaces where seniors live themselves interact with others during school holidays and provide activities for children.

It also hosts Luke's Ladder. Luke distributes food waste from the business to those who need it.

St. Luke's Church of Evangelists in Clifton (Image: Dylan Connell) Dave Pound, the project leader at St. Luke's Community Hub, says the need for halls has never been more than ever.

He points to a photo of an elderly resident called Brian who visits the hall's weekly community cafe. “It's a friendly group and he can get out of his house and connect with others,” says Dave. “It's really important to get people out of their homes.

“In this field, social isolation is a real problem, so it gives people the opportunity to go out.”

He adds: “There are some really underprivileged areas in this ward.

“As a church, we just want to be there for the people and build our capabilities for the people in this community.”

St. Luke's Community Hub Project launches on Saturday (March 22nd) (Image: Dylan Connell) Dave admits that the structure of the hall was rotten and the roof was leaking until recently.

He says the project will build a new structure in the hall location.

It is a completely inclusive space connected to a church building with a standard catering kitchen equipped with renewable energy.

“If we don't do something, we don't have a building at all, but we're willing to do something,” Dave says.

The project raised £300,000, but requires £460,000 to make the vision come true.

Dave says an application for funding for the National Lottery Community has been submitted to secure the remaining amount he hopes to succeed.

What will the new hall look like (Image provided) “People are very positive and give them a lot of ideas about how they can be used with the facility,” he says.

Dave says he has a “Plan B” if he has no funding.

Plans for the new hall (Photo: provided)

York Central MP Rachel Maskell said the project would “have a huge benefit to the community.”

“This community often feels forgotten, and it's an opportunity for St. Luke to put the community in the spotlight,” she says.

Maskell says St. Luke “not only should the church be in the community, but the community be in the area.” “I'm not just looking, I'm looking outside.”

“It could definitely be a great space.”

Meanwhile, York mayor and Clifton ward councillor Margaret Wells admits it is “incredible” to think that the hall building was meant to be used for just 25 years.

Her children were baptized at the church, where her daughter was married.

“It's open to everyone, people really enjoy coming here,” she says.

Cllr Wells feels that the plan is “great” and leads to more people who benefit from the hall.

“It can definitely be a great space,” she says.