The £1 million Broadway Methodist Church was built using proceeds from the sale of three churches in Meir and Normacot, now its congregation is up for the community group of the year award.

THIS year saw three Methodist churches combine their forces for the benefit of the community.

Congregations from Normacot Methodist Church, Meir Methodist Church and Sandon Road Methodist Church, Meir, sold their individual buildings to the fund The Broadway Methodist Church.

Since its official opening in January the £1 million community project has hosted an array of activities and seen even more people getting involved with church life.

Reverend Andrew Baker said: "The Methodist people have a long tradition and history in this part of the Potteries.

"The congregations had three buildings that housed many memories which they held dear, but they were willing to let them go in order to build a new church that could serve the community."

The new church, in Pickford Place, has purpose built rooms for community activities with foldaway walls, improved catering and toilet facilities and is fully wheelchair accessible.

Congregation member Eileen Bamford, aged 59, of Croyde Place, Meir Park, said: "It's a purpose built building that's meant to be more than a church, we realised part of our work was to reach the community."

Eileen, a retired health worker, helps runs the church's mother and toddler group, Broadway Busy Bees.

The group meets every Thursday during term times from 10am until 11.30am.

Eileen is also involved in Make 'n' Munch, an after school group that takes place on the second Wednesday of each month.

Children can play games and take part in Bible-themed craft activities while parents enjoy a cup of tea.

There is then an informal talk about what the children have made before a meal.

Eileen said: "We do these things to praise God, bring people into the building and show them we do other things than worship on a Sunday."

The church also runs a youth group, Boys Brigade, Guides, a seniors group, coffee morning and occasional lunches.

The congregation's hard work has made an impression and now the Rev Baker is nominating them for an Our Heroes Community Group of the Year award.

He said: "They all had to be sacrificial in their giving and their fund-raising projects and this year they completed the project debt free."

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