Double celebration at Hunslet

When Hunslet Baptist Church in Leeds held a baptismal service in early April it also marked a recovery from flooding damage sustained last December. By Gill Knowles

Hunslet Baptist Church held a baptismal service on 3 April 2016 for Jonathan Knowles (17). Jonathan has attended the church with his family all his life and gave his life to Christ at Soul Survivor last August

It was a double celebration in the newly refurbished basement community area following the flooding of the rooms on Boxing Day 2015.

This event devastated the church members when they arrived for Sunday services on 27 December to find the area had been flooded to a depth of 15cm, something unknown in the church’s 179 year history. 

It was even harder to take in as in 2011 the church underwent a major redevelopment and had spent approximately £350,000 on the community area alone, with the whole project costing around £700,000.

The walls have had to be replastered, carpets replaced and the entire space redecorated. The kitchen also has to be entirely replaced, which included the condemning of the 65 year old industrial gas range cooker - we lost a great friend there!

However we have just been given a £5000 grant from the Particular Baptist Fund towards a new range cooker, electric warmer and dishwasher for which we are very grateful to God and the Trustees for this generous gift. This will enable us to get back to normal catering for our groups and events.

The congregation has remained positive about the whole situation. We were fortunate to be fully insured and knew God’s hand was in this.

The repair works are almost complete and we are looking forward to using the area again for our regular activities which include a toddler Group, Meeting Place for over 65s with a varied calendar of activities. We were also able to recommence our monthly Craft Club last week.


The flooded community area in December 2015


Plaster coming off and carpets up


The same community area refurbished for Jonathan's baptism
 

Gill Knowles is a deacon at Hunslet Baptist Church