For many years now, Ripon Cathedral has supported the ministry of a church within its parish, 'down the hill' in the neighbourhood of Ripon called Bondgate, originally a chapel for some local alms houses

Click to see location map
Click to see pictures from summer fete 2006

The dean of Ripon is now the master of a group of trustees which maintains the fabric of the church building and the almshouse.

St John's provides a ministry to a small, elderly, but very committed congregation.  It is surrounded by housing estates where there is a clear need for ministry to the elderly and young families. A lot of important and impressive ministry has been undertaken over the years, but the congregation of St. John's have realised that new initiatives are needed if the presence of the church is to make an impact on communities of the future.

Over the last 18 months, SSmembers of the Cathedral, St John's and Holy Trinity have met to share meals, their stories, and hopes/desires for the future. John Rutter (Reader, Holy Trinity) has been a key figure in all of this.

The first of St John 's new building projects, a toilet and external ramp (and possibly a kitchen), are due for completion in the spring of 2006.  Holy Trinity plans to be part of the rota for traditional services for the present congregation - a challenge for those of us from Trinity! By Easter 2006 we hope to have found a group of members from Holy Trinity, St John's and the Cathedral willing to commit to a non-Eucharistic service relevant for the community who live in this neighbourhood. 

Please pray for this. It's an exciting venture, marrying three congregations in a united witness. We'll be rubbing shoulders with people and priorities very different from our own. The focus is, for all of us, to make Christ know in this part of Ripon in ways that make a difference for individuals and the community.