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Horsham Churches Together has a joint project: -
The Centre. This is situated in the heart of the town at 4-5 South Street. It
is run mainly by volunteers from the churches. It is open from 9.30 am. to 5.00
pm. Monday to Saturday. On the ground floor is a coffee shop which
provides drinks and snacks and lunches. Upstairs is a book shop selling
Bibles and other Christian literature as well as a wide range of gifts,
Christian music recordings, and church requisites. It is the place to come for
Christmas, birthday and other greetings cards including baptism, confirmation,
induction and ordination. There is always a supply of tasteful condolence cards
with appropriate Biblical words of encouragement. Make it your first stop for
presents for family and friends.
The volunteers are available to offer a
‘listening’ ministry. If you want to talk something over you may ask
for a volunteer to sit with you or arrange a convenient time to meet if it is
busy.
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The Horsham Christian
Centreclick
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A
Brief History of The Centre
Easter
1990
Ecumenical Lent
House Groups express clear wish to see a replacement for the Christian Bookshop
which had closed at Easter. The Revd Eric Maynard, on becoming Chairman of
Horsham Council of Churches (now Churches Together in Horsham), share his hope
of setting up an ecumenical "shop window". A Planning Group is set
up.
10th May
1991
A special
meeting, attended by about 80 people from all the churches, is held at Horsham
United Reformed Church to gauge support.
19th
September 1991
The meeting of
the Council of Churches accepts a "statement of Aims" for the new
centre.
June
1992
The Feasibility
Group becomes an Action Group, research undertaken, legal documents and a
business plan are drafted. Premises are sought and explored for
suitability.
15th
February 1993
The first regular
prayer meeting, set up by Sister Gabriel, is held at Bedford Road, Horsham.
These meetings, now held every Friday at 2.30 pm in the Upper Room of The
Centre, became and still are a great source of strength in our work.
30th March
1994
11 congregations,
representing 5 denominations form Horsham Christian Centre Ltd: Anglican (5)
Baptist, Methodist (3), Roman Catholic and United Reformed.
3rd June
1994
Formal
registration as a charity
1st
September 1994
Bookshop opened
in East Street as a temporary measure to take advantage of Christmas
trade.
10th March
1995
Doors opened at
South Street, Horsham. Eric Maynard returns to Horsham for first
"official" cup of coffee at The Centre.
25th March
1995
Official opening
of The centre by Dame Thora Hird.
15th
September 1996
The Centre is
featured in the BBC Songs of Praise programme, introduced by Pam Rhodes.