Burrington Methodist Church, North Devon

Methodist Insurance Church Community Award 2017 Grand Prize winner

The church was presented with the grand prize of £5,000 at our winners’ lunch at Central Hall Westminster on Thursday 2 November. 

After Burrington’s local shop and Post Office closed, a Post Office van started visiting the village to offer a postal service to the locals. People came and queued outside for the van in all weathers, so the Methodist Church decided to open its doors and offer hospitality, companionship and shelter.  

Now, up to 25 people come every time the church is open, even if the van isn’t scheduled to come that day. The initiative has rekindled a community spirit across the village. 

Rather than let people wait in the rain or all weathers we decided to open up the church so people could wait inside to stay warm and dry and use the facilities

It’s entirely up to our visitors whether they start coming to services too. The opportunity is there, some take it, and some just come for the fellowship.

Paul Bailey, treasurer