A community event asking members of the public about the future of one of Plymouth’s churches is taking place this weekend.
St Mary’s in Laira will be hosting bellringing, a history tour, bouncy castle, bric-a-brac and pulled pork rolls as part of its free Laira Fair Event on Saturday 6 June from 11am to 3pm.
The church recently paused its regular church services in order to allow time to plan for a future which best meets the needs of the local community.
Rev’d Peter Shaw, Team Rector of St Mary’s and Emmanuel Church in Plymouth, said “I am really hopeful for the future of St Mary’s, both as a building at the heart of the community and as a place of worship. We are excited to work with local people to see it flourish in the years ahead.”
St Mary’s is an Edwardian church which was completed just before the first world war. In recent years its traditional congregation has dwindled, but the Diocese of Exeter hopes that working with the local community on its future will enable new growth.
The Archdeacon of Plymouth, the Ven. Jane Bakker, said “Over the last few months it has been heartening to see so many Plymouth‑based charities, community organisations and local residents coming together to begin conversations about the future of St Mary’s, Laira.
“For generations, St Mary’s Church has been part of the fabric of the Laira community, and while regular worship has declined in recent years, the building and its role in local life continue to matter deeply to many people.
“The Revd Peter Shaw and his team are working closely with local partners to explore how St Mary’s can continue to serve Laira as a welcoming place of Christian worship and as a community space.
“This approach reflects the wider Plymouth 2035 programme, a ten‑year Church of England initiative supported by funding from the Church Commissioners, which aims to help Anglican churches across the city become more rooted in their neighbourhoods, more responsive to local needs and with a clear focus on growth.
“I am confident that, through strong partnerships with the local community and support through Plymouth 2035, St Mary’s can have a positive and sustainable future at the heart of Laira.”
The Laira Fair on Saturday 6 June is part of Love Plymouth, a city-wide weekend of events organised by the city’s churches. You can find out more here: https://www.loveplymouth.org/