Stainbeck United Reformed Church, Leeds, was built in 1931 and is set in the middle of estates which are diverse both culturally and socially. These estates include socially deprived areas which are ‘hard to reach’ and the churches had little impact on them. During the late 1990”s the church had lost its mission edge and numbers were declining. Confidence was low and the building had become a target for local youth to vandalise. The elders recognised that the church had to change if it was to regain its relevance to the local community.

1. Stainbeck URC, Leeds
EVERYDAY CHURCH:
transforming the ordinary

3. STAINBECK’S COMMUNITY CAFÉ with wifi and support for debt, housing, work

4. LUNCH CLUB
for the elderly

5. Afternoon Tea for elderly residents: local police offering entertainment

6. Stainbeck host Leeds Youth Cell Network
for day of action and worship

7. Looking Outwards:
700 gather at Elland Road
for a LEEDS CITIZENS Assembly

9. HOLIDAY CLUB

10. LIGHT
PARTY

11. MAKE IT! CRAFT CLUB

12. CRAFT for KIDS
after school

13. COMMUNITY FUN at Local Cricket Club

14. FAMILY BOARD GAMES DAY

15. A Community BEAT ORCHESTRA

16. Sunday Afternoon MESSY CHURCH

17. Lloyd’s Bank Volunteers
offer a day’s painting