Dedication of the St Peter's Centre

The St Peter's Centre At the opening of the new St Peter’s Centre on Tuesday 19th January 1999, Canon Leslie Morley welcomed representatives from Marks and Spencer, Latham architects, and Tarmac the construction firm. Thanks were also given to Eversheds solicitors. A letter of congratulations and best wishes was read from the Lord Mayor, Councillor Joyce Dunn who was unable to be present.

The new Centre was dedicated by Bishop Patrick, who said in his address that it was fitting that he was present at the start of a new venture at a time when he is about to start retirement, for the Church is a living organism undergoing continuous change. He made reference to the reading from Col 4 v2-6 reminding us that the church as a house of prayer is at the heart of our ministry. The Bishop also referred to the phrase ‘open door’ in the reading, relating it to the newly opened South door linking the church with the new Centre and the Coffee Room. We can look both in and out and this is symbolic of the purpose of the church. Bishop Patrick thanked God for Leslie’s wisdom and his many abilities during negotiations over the new building, he expressed our thanks to Marks and Spencer for their support and thoughtfulness, and to the work of Tarmac, the construction team.

St Peter's churchyard, with the new Centre on the left Leslie described how Marks and Spencer had approached St Peter’s with regard to their plans for extensions and possible service to St Peter’s in 1993, at a time when we were considering how the church might adapt to suit the needs of the city, particularly in providing a listening ear. This could, he said, be called a coincidence! This evening was a culmination of a vision shared and cooperation with those concerned. Leslie thanked Marks and Spencer for all their help and told Tarmac ‘they have given us a building of which we can be proud’.

Prayers were offered for the life of the church by Peter Hoare for St Peter’s community, Eleri Burden for the Church in the city, Grenville Gibson for Outreach to Commerce and the work of the commercial chaplain, Joan Cooke for the Coffee Room and its workers, Sarah Brojaka for young people, Jan Huckle for weekday ministry, and Angela Newton for St Peter’s Office.

The new Coffee Room After the service we were able to look round the new Centre. The Coffee Room has been in the new premises for two weeks, the cakes are as wonderful as ever, but for most of us this evening was the first time we had seen the lights in the St Peter’s garden illuminating the trees and the church. The new offices have inspiring views and the new windows of the first floor in Marks and Spencer must give the most flattering view of Nottingham. We have, in the words of our speakers, a combination of the qualities of Saint Michael and Saint Peter, and a centre for the next millennium - the lease is for 999 years.

Ann R Parker

Read about the keys to the new Centre.

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