A parish church in Lancashire has launched a welcome new town centre social hub. 

Located in the former offices of the Morecambe Guardian, The Sanctuary is a community café, food redistribution and outreach project, organised by Morecambe Parish Church in partnership alongside Great Places Housing Group and local food redistribution charities ‘FareShare’ and ‘Eggcup’.

It’s the latest example of churches in Lancashire serving their communities in fresh new ways, while working closely with local partner organisations.

The Sanctuary was opened at 13 Queen Street by Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Joyce Pritchard. Customers can enjoy a hot drink and snack in the café and join the charity to access food at a low cost.

The new venture has sprung out of ‘Morecambe Pantry’, an initiative previously established by the church at the nearby Memorial Hall during the Covid pandemic for people with a need; this service continues in the new location.

Rector of Morecambe, Rev Chris Krawiec, likens The Sanctuary to a corner shop where the church meets its community in a new way.

“My hope is that we quickly become a safe place for people to meet and a real community hub,” said Chris.

For the Pantry element, each customer becomes a member and pay a fee of £4 per visit.

They then receive approximately £20 worth of food which they choose themselves from the stock on the shelves. On top of this, each customer will be offered the option of joining a food co-operative for an extra £2 per visit and this extra payment gets them two litres of milk, an 800g loaf of bread and 6 free range eggs.

So far, 400 supporters are paying either £4 or £6 to bolster their weekly shop.

For the past year, volunteers have worked on renovating the building in Queen Street to get it ready for its recent official opening by the Mayor.

Support has come from Lancaster City and Morecambe Town Councils, Citizens Advice and the Great Places Housing Group.

Meanwhile, project manager Susan Armstrong has recruited a team to serve in the café and food charity, but is still on the lookout for more helpers, including people to collate membership information; to welcome visitors; provide admin support; sorting and check stock and for food delivery. If you think you can help, email pantry@morecambeparish.church 

Anyone wanting to become a member and benefit from the Pantry should fill in a membership form, available at  www.morecambeparish.church/pantry 

Speaking today about The Sanctuary, Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, commented: “The energy and cost of living crises have created unprecedented levels of hardship across the County, but I am encouraged by this fabulous new initiative from Morecambe Parish Church. It follows hot on the heels of the launch of a ‘Wellness Hub’ by St Laurence Church in Chorley.

“Once again we see how churches, working alongside partners from the council and elsewhere, can provide vital services to often hard-pressed communities; living out Jesus' message of hope in their positive responses and actions at this time to help their local communities.”

Captions for pictures from top to bottom:

• Project Manager, Susan Armstrong, with Rev. Chris Krawiec at the launch of The Sanctuary
• Rev Chris Krawiec speaks to assembled guests from the local community at the launch of The Sanctuary, flanked by the Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Joyce Pritchard and Project Manager, Susan Armstrong
• The scene at The Sanctuary on launch day as invited guests mingle