Barry Uniting Church has been awarded the prestigious Gold Eco Church Award by A Rocha UK, becoming the first URC in Wales and only the fourth church in Wales to receive this accolade. It’s a testament to their commitment to both environmental stewardship and inclusive community mission.
A local ecumenical partnership formed in 2012 between Windsor Road United Reformed Church and Porthkerry Road Methodist Church, Barry Uniting has consistently placed sustainability at the heart of its life. This was especially evident in the development of The Bridge Between Centre, a welcoming church and community hub at Barry Waterfront, opened in 2021.
The Centre features a Green Flag Community Garden, a fully equipped Changing Places facility, and is home to Lana’s Community Café, run by Vale People First, offering supported work opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.
Revd Paul Martin, Minister at Barry Uniting, said:
“We are thrilled at receiving this award. It is an affirmation of our ongoing journey to be good stewards of God’s creation.”
Others, including Vale People First and Keep Wales Tidy, praised the church’s inspirational impact. Their work demonstrates how churches can live out their faith through creation care and empowering local people.
The Eco Church scheme, run by A Rocha UK, encourages churches to care for creation through practical action across five areas of church life: worship and teaching, buildings, land, community engagement, and lifestyle. With over 8,300 churches registered, Barry Uniting Church’s achievement offers inspiration and encouragement to churches across Wales and beyond.
~ Want to find out how your church can become an Eco Church? Visit arocha.org.uk
