Holy Grounds, a trendy café and doughnut shop, has just opened its 4th location right nextdoor to Wigan Parish Church, offering a fresh space for people to meet, enjoy good coffee and connect with the local community.
The Wigan café marks a new chapter for Holy Grounds as its first location situated alongside a church, and the first to open within the Diocese of Liverpool. Founded by Sam and his wife, Holy Grounds now has four locations, bringing its Christian ethos and approach to hospitality everywhere it goes.
From Vicar to Café Owner
Holy Grounds was founded by Sam Haigh and his wife Hannah, bringing together Sam’s experience in ministry with a new approach to Christian hospitality and community.
Before starting the business, Sam was a Church of England vicar who had worked in churches across the country, giving him a strong background in parish ministry and an understanding of the role churches can play at the heart of their communities. Three years ago, he was based at Preston Minster, where he helped attract new church communities by introducing music and exploring ways of connecting God’s word with contemporary topics and everyday life.
His experience has shaped the vision behind Holy Grounds: creating welcoming spaces where people can meet and connect, with a Christian ethos at the heart of the business.
Investing in a space that supports the parish
The Wigan Holy Grounds has been developed with support from the Diocese of Liverpool’s building team, who have worked alongside the parish to help fund and develop the space.
The café is situated in a separate space alongside the church, allowing the church itself to continue its worship and ministry while making productive use of the wider site.
For the Diocese, the project is an example of how investment in church property can create opportunities for parishes to generate sustainable income and strengthen their presence within the local community. Income from the café will benefit the parish, providing an additional source of funding to support its ongoing ministry and work.
It is also an opportunity to think differently about how the church connects with people beyond its regular services. The café provides a welcoming, informal environment where people can meet, build relationships and encounter the church in a different way.
The project brings together enterprise, hospitality and Christian mission, with the Diocese’s investment helping to create a space that can serve the community while contributing to the long-term financial sustainability of the parish.
For more information, visit: holygrounds.co.uk
