Anglican churches in Harborough are to re-open for private prayer soon

Anglican churches in Market Harborough are to re-open for private prayer from Monday July 6 onwards.

The move is going ahead as churches gradually begin to re-open throughout Harborough after being shut since March amid the Covid-19 crisis.

But many practising Christians are not keen to return to church until a breakthrough coronavirus vaccine is found.

The Rev Barry Hill, Market Harborough’s Anglican Team Rector, said: "Surveys suggest that maybe as many as 40 per cent of worshippers will not feel confident to return to church buildings until a vaccine is available.

“We are aware that a significant proportion of our congregations fall into the clinically vulnerable and clinically extremely vulnerable groups.”

He added: “It is important that they take heed of Government advice on visiting church buildings and volunteering."

You will be able to go along and take part in private prayer at the town’s Anglican churches on the following days and times:

- St Dionysius - Wednesday and Saturday 10am-2pm

- St Peter & St Paul, Great Bowden - Monday 2pm-3.30pm, Wednesday 6pm-7.30pm, Friday 10am-11.30am

- St Nicholas, Little Bowden - Tuesday 10am-12midday – from Tuesday July 14

- St Hugh, Granville Street - Saturday 2pm-4pm

- All Saints, Lubenham - Wednesday and Sunday 9.30am-5.30pm

Clergy, church wardens and church councils have carried out extensive preparations and risk assessments at local Anglican churches.

Volunteers have also been recruited to assist with cleaning and welcoming during opening hours.

There will be a take-away flyer at the door of each church.

They will have instructions for each visitor regarding distancing, guidance for prayer, information about spiritual resources and wide-ranging practical help available.

The flyers will also give a contact number for more information.

“The number and variety of on-line services is being increased.

“But there are currently no plans to open the town's Anglican churches for public worship during July and August because of current Government restrictions and the constrictions of fixed furnishings and narrow aisles in many church buildings,” said an Anglican Church spokesman.

The Baptist Church on Coventry Road, Market Harborough, hopes to open for private prayer in the coming weeks.

Neither the Congregational Church on the High Street nor Harborough Community Church on Bath Street plan to re-open at the moment.

Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church on Fairfield Road is currently opening for private prayer from 10am-12midday on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

The popular church has clear distancing and sanitising restrictions in place.

The Street Pastors will be back out in Market Harborough on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday July 4 from 2pm-4pm as the town’s pubs and bars prepare to re-open.