Bells ring out as Wolverhampton church welcomes back worshippers
The bells were ringing as a city church welcomed back worshippers for the first time in three months.
St Peter’s Church in Wolverhampton had been able to open for private worship, but had been closed to any type of public communal services due to the start of the third national lockdown.
Due to the lifting of restrictions for a limited number of people have been able to go into churches for communal worship, St Peter’s was able to welcome people inside the church for the first time since December 27.
Two services were held on Sunday with measures in place to ensure Covid regulations were followed, including social distancing and Track and Trace.
Rev. David Wright said the first day back had been a success.
He said: “It went really well, with two services taking place at 9am and 11.15am as a sort of first toe in the water.
"The first service was designed to be one with a fairly low attendance, so that people had a lot of space, and which worked really well.
“Overall, we had about 55 people in attendance, which is probably half the usual congregation, but meant people could spread out and feel safe, so it was really good.”
Rev. Wright said the church was not going to rush back into putting on full services as the restrictions were being slowly relaxed, but would take it slowly to help people feel comfortable coming into services.
He said: “We will continue to have a high profile online, so that those who don’t feel it’s the right time to come back can continue to follow our live-streamed services and feel involved in the church.”
Rev. Wright added: “It felt really good to be back as part of being a church community and fellowship is being able to worship together and be together.
“The one thing we’re missing is being able to talk together as it’s still the regulation that you come in, sit down, stay where you are, then leave promptly afterwards.”
St Peter’s Church will continue to open on Sunday for services at 9am and 11.15am, with the 11.15am Easter Sunday service featuring the Bishop of Wolverhampton Clive Gregory.
