Cheery carols in the Co-op this afternoon.

Reflective service on Christmas morning.

We wish you a meaningful Christmas time.

Prayers for Christmas .... during a lovely candlelit carol service this afternoon. Find Allan's message in the 'Church Family' section of this website. 

Jean shared her Yorkshire dialect version of the Christmas story at this morning's service. You'll find a recording in the 'Church Family' section of this website. 

The dream team bring a taste of Christmas cheer to passers by. Smiles on faces of shoppers; windows wound down by cars stopped at the lights; and dozens of invitations handed out for Candlelit Carols on 18th December. 

We are absolutely thrilled and privileged to welcome Rev Gaynor Hammond to become the part-time minister at Hope Baptist Church.

Among other activities, Gaynor will preach twice a month and lead a weekly guided Bible study and discussion each Tuesday morning. 

Concrete foundation is now set and so the jigsaw of giant stones is reassembled on the front steps. Perhaps the most visible sign of progress as the great bunch of guys from Anelay Building & Conservation ... supported by money from Heritage Lottery Fund ... continue to do a brilliant job.

Next on Sunday 6th November

We're back up-and-running in the downstairs community rooms at the back of the chapel, but the dodgy plasterwork continues to crash to the floor. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CHAPEL SPACE.

With the first chunk of cash from Heritage Lottery Fund and a great bunch of guys from Anelay Building & Conservation, we're cracking on the next round of works.

With community rooms back in order downstairs after flood restoration work, the entrance will be at the side (Hope Street) until the end of January. 

Off we go again. Our 'Exodus' experience from chapel to White Lion to community rooms continues as the builders get things set up for starting the next £1/4m repair project next week. 

Just completed flood restoration works - and now the first meeting of the team responsible for the next £1/4m repair project. It means more disruption, but moves us a step nearer to getting this building back into full use for the community. 

Carols and mince pies: A joyful contribution to last Saturday's Alternative Christmas in Hebden Bridge. But I don't recall that an elf, a fairy and superman visited baby Jesus in the stable!

Check out what else is happening on the day:
https://youtu.be/tUCuSq7Gtlc

Cracking on with flood restoration - including flood-resilient lime plaster. Due for completion end of June. 

Thinking, discussing and planning for future use of the chapel facilities: After flood restoration ... new repair project ... and rectifying past repair problems.

That's HOPE Baptist Church!

Baptismal service in the garden. That got the attention of people waiting at the bus stop - and was certainly a wonderful way to celebrate Easter Sunday.

Two tonnes of gravel + two hours + one dream team
= sparkly new pathway around the chapel.

That should keep the mud off folks shoes on Easter Sunday as they pop outside for the baptismal service. 

Preparations for partial return to Hope Chapel:

Dorothy stitches together the hessian screen as we create a sanctuary space under the rear gallery.

Planning today to get back into the chapel area under the rear gallery - hopefully for Easter.

We've loved our time at The White Lion - and are really grateful to their fantastic team of staff. 

Out-of-the-blue, a note and a cheque arrive from a church in the Midlands.

Thank you everyone at Desford Free Church! The money is helpful, but the encouragement is priceless. 

A thing of the past? Oh no it isn't!

Outdoor Baptismal Service:
Sunday 27th March

In the garden in front of Hope Chapel - alongside the main road.

Now THAT is the way to celebrate Easter Sunday - and possibly bring the traffic to a halt!

Volunteer Power at Hope!

A fantastic spirit as a gang of church friends rolled up their sleeves to mop floors, disinfect woodwork, clear out the baptistry, jetwash plastic chairs, cover soft furnishings, rip up old floorcoverings, tear out sodden insulation, remove kitchen doors and white goods and much more besides.

Thank you, thank you!

Card and cakes from our friends at Shipley Baptist Church to accompany tea and coffee provided by our friends at the White Lion.

How nice was that!!

Using communion silver from the 1800s ...

Four new members add their names to the book first signed by John Fawcett in 1777 ...

All in the White Lion pub this morning.

'All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.' (Acts chapter 2)

We may be here two thousand years later, but the first century church is starting to sound very appealing.

Pop-Up Hope Baptist Church: 10.30am in the White Lion on Sundays - and aiming to pop-up around the town - especially where people tell us there is need. 

This poster has gone up in front of Hope Chapel today.

Having worked for many years to create a sanctuary space and unique venue for this town, this is not where we had expected to be right now.

But, we are open to exciting possibilities and are hugely grateful to our friends at The White Lion.  

We met for the last time for a while at Hope Chapel this morning. From next Sunday, our pop-up church will be at the White Lion (10.30am).

The chapel will be open for at least the next week between 6.00-7.00pm to provide a sanctuary space for anyone wishing to reflect, pray or be prayed for.

We'll keep everyone updated about other activities in and around the town. We remain 'Christ-Centre - Community-Focused'.

Café-Style service on Sunday 3rd at 10.30am
Theme: 'New Beginnings'
An informal time of worship, prayer and reflection held in the area under the gallery, using the main entrance. Reflections and other contributions from members and visitors are welcome. We planned the theme before the floods and this service may be our last in the chapel before we set up a 'pop-up' church while repairs are carried out - details to follow.
Everyone welcome!