In Church Wigan, a partnership between St Paul’s Church and St Paul’s Church of England Primary School has created a welcoming worship community for local families.
Wellsprings, a free after-school worship community based at the school, began with a shared vision in 2016. At the time, Revd Neil Cook, then vicar of St Paul’s Church (now Team Rector of Church Wigan), and the school’s former headteacher, Allison Jackson, were exploring ways the church and school could work together to reach families in the local community who may not typically attend church. They wanted to create a space where parents and children could hear more about Jesus while enjoying a fun and welcoming after-school environment.
That vision became reality in September 2017 when Wellsprings officially opened.
Since then, the worship community has welcomed hundreds of families from the Goose Green area of Wigan, offering a place of support, friendship and faith. Lucy Haigh, who first became involved as a volunteer in the kitchen, has been part of Wellsprings since the beginning and has served as its Local Missional Leader since 2020.
Reflecting on the impact of Wellsprings, Lucy said:
“It has been a blessing to both the team and the local community. Over the last eight years we have welcomed hundreds of families, providing a safe place of community and support. We’ve had the privilege of walking alongside families who don’t go to church and helping them explore their faith by hearing about Jesus.
“We often hear people say things like ‘I’m not religious, but I have become more open-minded after coming to Wellsprings’. Many also tell us they feel peaceful and less isolated when they attend.”
Wellsprings takes place in a church-owned building on the grounds of St Paul’s Primary School. Each session begins with activities where children can choose between crafts or sports, helping them take part in ways they feel most comfortable for them.
While the children are busy with activities, parents and carers spend time chatting with the Wellsprings team and discussing aspects of the Christian faith, often linked to the church calendar such as Lent, Easter or Pentecost. It offers a natural opportunity to build relationships and share faith with adults who might not otherwise attend church.
At 4.15pm, everyone comes together to share a meal. Sitting down together for dinner allows families, children and the team to continue conversations and strengthen the sense of community that has become central to Wellsprings.
Throughout the year, the group also runs special seasonal events including Easter egg hunts during Holy Week, summer trips to the beach, pumpkin carving in October and a Christmas party in December.
Wellsprings is supported by a number of local and national charities which help cover the costs of running the group, which is around £5,000 per year. This support also enables the team to offer practical help to families facing financial pressures, from providing essential household items to connecting them with other support.
A spokesperson from the Diocese of Liverpool’s Education Team said:
“Wellsprings is a great example of listening to God and building strong relationships between church, school and community. The vision began through regular prayer between clergy and school staff, and by listening to families about what a worship community could look like for them.
Today, Wellsprings is an important part of the life of the school and local community. It’s wonderful to see staff, children, families and members of the community worshipping together, encountering Jesus and growing deeper in their faith.”
