Wapping

The fourth Urban Expression team began work in Wapping in September 2000. Led by Karen Stallard, the emergence of this team was rather different than the earlier ones. Rather than bringing with her a team of people from elsewhere, Karen joined a small group of Christians already living in the area, who had been praying for a new church to develop there.

Wapping is a very mixed area. Along the Thames are new developments of luxury flats and converted warehouses, surrounding renovated docks. Elsewhere there are many older blocks of flats, homes to East Enders, Bengali families and people from many other backgrounds. One of the challenges for the team has been how to engage with such a diverse community. An ongoing goal for the church is to try to build bridges between those with different cultures, beliefs and practices, providing safe places for good relationships to be encouraged between different people.

Wapping Community Church has gradually emerged, meeting initially in the house that the church has managed to purchase as a manse. At the end of 2003 increasing numbers have meant the church has needed to find a larger place to meet and they have been delighted to be allowed to use premises owned by the local Catholic church.

The vision of the church is to be like a cedar tree, planted in amongst other trees to provide shelter and rest. The church has a particular interest in the area of mental health and is seeking to facilitate discussion and help support initiatives which provide spiritual care for people suffering from mental distress. The Wapping Community Church motto is ‘living and sharing the good news of Jesus’ and the work of the church involves exploring creative ways in which individuals can be encouraged to do just that.

Map of Wapping (click on the map for an interactive version at Mapquest.com)