Pub gives church new spirit

Two pubs have closed in the area

A pub in Sheffield is being changed into a church.

Church leaders in the city have bought the Fellbrigg pub and intend to convert it to an inner-city place of worship.

The present churches of St Paul in Arbourthorne and St Leonard at Norfolk Park are to be combined to form a new parish based at the premises.

It is expected services will be taking place there by the end of the year.

Regulars' concerns

The Fellbrigg, which is owned by Avebury Taverns, will close as a pub this week.

Some users of the pub have expressed concern about the decision to convert their local into a church.

And a spokesman for the Diocese of Sheffield says the church is aware that not everyone will welcome swapping a bar for an altar.

He said: "We have a lot of sympathy for the regulars as the pub down the road has also closed.

Pub chains

"It seems the pub chains don't want to be in the area but we do.

"We didn't come to close a pub, we came to open a church."

It is believed the Fellbrigg is the first pub to be converted to a church.

In addition to hosting Sunday and midweek church activities, the building will offer space for other groups and meetings.