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Rev Tommy Macneil with members of Martin’s Memorial Church’s youth team

 

A new youth community facility has opened in Stornoway. The Shed, built beside Martin’s Memorial Church in the town centre, took four years in planning and building, and cost quarter of a million pounds, a third of which was raised by the church congregation.

 

The facility was officially opened by Prince Edward and Countess of Essex on Tuesday.

 

The building which stands on the site of an old salt shed dating back to the height of the Stornoway herring fishing industry, will enable the church to make new links with young people, families, and other members of the community.

 

Martin’s Memorial Church minister, the Rev Tommy MacNeil, said: “As a church we've had a strong youth work element for a number of years. We were keen to develop this further to reach more unchurched youth in the town and we were also keen to build more bridges into the wider community.

 

“The Shed youth and community centre enables us to meet with youth and community in a neutral place and build relationships and friendships with people.”

 

“As a church we see it as a remarkable way to celebrate the completion of the building, and the start of the new work, by having the Earl and Countess of Wessex coming to perform the official opening.

 

“We are greatly honoured, and indeed indebted to them, for their willingness to do this. It is a special day to have them in our church. We are thankful to God for this blessing.”

 

The completed building has a downstairs cafe and social space, with a large open plan room upstairs for larger meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New youth community facility opens in Stornoway    21/5/14