THE Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, said she was “hugely excited” to open a new parish office, meeting space and bookshop in Coleford. 

The ‘Church on the Street’ is a base for the Mid Wyedean Churches following the closure of St John’s Church in the town. 

It is based in the former Great Oaks hospice shop in St John’s Street, a building that at one time was a grain store. 

Bishop Rachel said: “I am hugely excited that this shop will link with people for the common good. 

“What’s wonderful is that this building was the hospice shop and before that it had grain stored

in it – what a fantastic image.  

“This is a place where the harvest was gathered in and it is my prayer that this continues to be a place of God’s harvest as you share all that is good with people of Christian faith, no faith and every faith with people here in Coleford. 

“We think back to all the history there is of St John’s Church – that history has been quite difficult and painful sometimes.” 

The Vicar of Coleford, Rev Sarah Bick, said:  It may not be a church in the sense we are used to, but it will be a point of contact between church and community, a place of hospitality and prayer, and we hope a venue for meeting some of the needs of local people.”   

The parish office is open between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday, with other activities as advertised. 

•In a previous story we said, based on information supplied, that the church was a founder member of the Forest Foodbank. We have been asked to point out that while the church supports the Foodbank it was not among the founders.