The church marked the 70th anniversary of the reconsecration of their church building at a service on January 26th.
St Paul’s church building was destroyed on 14th November 1940, in the same air raids that left the old Cathedral in ruins. Rebuilt on the same site but in a more modern style, the church was reopened and re-dedicated to the service of God’s mission in January 1955. To connect the current congregation with the service 70 years ago, some of the same liturgy was used in the service.
As part of the celebration, the Dean of Coventry Cathedral, the Very Revd John Witcombe, spoke about God’s call to be who he made us to be and to stay focussed on his work in our lives and in the communities around us. He also commissioned the church family to continue to work for God’s glory and the good of all people in and around Foleshill.
The congregation has changed significantly at St Paul’s over the last 70 years, and they are now blessed with people worshipping together from different nations and in different languages. As a way of representing this glorious diversity and to tie in with the 70th anniversary theme of continuing the story of God’s people there, four new banners have been created to represent the congregation in 2025. Church members were invited to offer pieces of material that represent something of their own stories or heritage and Frances Langlands, one of the church family, stitched them into a patchwork. From African prints, to beautiful scarves, tartan, denim and even a child’s first curtains, the banners serve as a celebration of all that makes the St Paul’s church family what it is.
St Paul’s is planning more events throughout the year to celebrate the last 70 years and look forward to the next 70, and is praying that God’s story in Foleshill will be celebrated for decades to come!
Written by Rev Abby Rhodes, St Paul's Foleshill.