FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY: Community fun day helps serve the people of Buckland

IT was a summer fair with a difference! This year, we partnered with Portsmouth City Council and the Portsmouth 100 celebrations to bless the community where we find ourselves at All Saints Church, Buckland.

The Rev Alex Coakley-Youngs, vicar, All Saints Church, Buckland | Diocese of Portsmouth

placeholder image — The Rev Alex Coakley-Youngs, vicar, All Saints Church, Buckland | Diocese of Portsmouth

Our Love Buckland Community Day last weekend was a great success, serving just over 250 people with kids' craft activities, bouncy castles, music and food.

We also had local groups who set up stalls, including our friends from Buckland Adventure Playground and members of our church congregation.

The Rev Alex Coakley-Youngs with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Abdul Kadir | All Saints Church, Buckland

On the day, some people who were just walking past stopped to ask, "What's going on?" When we told them, they changed their plans and came in for some fun! Our new Lord Mayor, Cllr Abdul Kadir, also joined us to support the event and the Buckland community.

Why did we do this? Because the church does not exist for itself, but for the people. All Saints was built after the Napoleonic wars, providing a place for the rapidly-expanding dockyard workforce and offering social and educational relief for the neighbourhood.

Today, our historic building has adapted to meet modern urban needs by hosting essential outreach programs.

These include the Safe Harbour community meals - which provide hot dinners and breakfasts to those in need - alongside a weekly food bank, a community café, and our newest activity, the Community Craft Club on Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm. We’re continuing its original 19th-century mission of supporting the local community.

Bouncy castle inside All Saints Church, Buckland, as part of the community fun day | All Saints Church, Buckland

Our primary purpose is to provide a place of worship for the people of the local area - we want to see Jesus known in the city.

Our faith drives us to be a vibrant church that is active and alive. We want to offer hope in new ways to those who need it the most, and to see our city transformed for the better - a place where everyone is seen, loved and heard.

We love the community that God has placed us in, and good things are happening at All Saints. We are proud to offer services that cater to everyone, bridging our rich traditions and heritage with modern life.

Come and see for yourself on Sundays! Join us either for our traditional service at 9:30am or our informal service at 11am.

You will be warmly welcomed into the family, and there is truly something for everyone - whether you enjoy a contemplative Eucharist, a lively modern gathering, or simply want to drop in for community and friendship.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH (part of HARBOUR CHURCH), Commercial Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, PO1 4BT