A WARM SANCTUARY MAKEOVER

Knox United Church has been sustaining its parishioners for more than a century. When a three-year, so-called reimagining is completed, the historic downtown church will be tending to its congregation’s nutritional and social needs, as well as their spiritual longings.

Frankly, like everyone else who has heard about the church’s vision, we’re exciting about the project’s tremendous ability to create a more compelling and useful space. It has the real potential to revitalize the church, which has seating space for 800 worshippers, but rarely has need of all the pews.

Knox United Church is drawing on the expertise of Father Andrew Foreshew-Cain, who oversaw a similar transformation at St. James Church in West Hampstead, London, England, where The Sanctuary Cafe was created. Knox United Church has similar inspirations. It too will install a cafe in its sanctuary and add co-working space and a community kitchen and bakery. Churches serve many purposes, of course, in particular, fulfilling the needs of the faithful by sharing the important message of Jesus Christ’s salvation.

Churches are also inspiring places to gather and to gain insight and strengthen our faith.

The presence of a cafe where people can pause for a spell, and a community kitchen and bakery can be situated to nourish more basic needs is highly desirable.

It’s not a case of watering down the important traditions of the church; it’s about making them more evident, relevant and sincere.

Knox United Church minister Greg Glatz can talk with ease on many topics, but he’s the first to admit he knows little about operating a cafe.

That’s why he’s recruited individuals who have experience in the field, determined they cannot only provide a restful respite in the heart of the city, at 4th Street S.W. and 6th Avenue, but do so in a financially sustainable fashion. All while bathed in the inspiring glow of stained-glass windows.

Glatz says the changes are an attempt to make the church more user-friendly for the diverse community of Calgarians who live in the core.

“I do think we’ll bring more people into the church community, but only because we’re caring about the people around us,” he said.

“If we make this church about the people around us, they’ll join us.” What a wonderful, caring aspiration. Best of luck with the transformation.