Faith in the community: Historic church refurbished for services ancient and modern
by the Rev Alex Coakley-Youngs, team vicar, All Saints Church, Buckland
ExCo
This year marks a historic milestone for our neighbourhood: the 200th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone at All Saints, the church at the north end of Commercial Road.
For two centuries this building has stood as a beacon for the local community, serving Buckland in countless ways through generations of change.
Since joining as team vicar at All Saints in May – part of the wider Harbour Church team – it has been my joy to get to know this community.
In the short time I have been in post, I have also watched the church undergo an extensive renovation.
Our goal was simple: to honour the building’s history while breathing new life into its future. The result is a space that retains a "classic vibe" yet allows us to use the nave for worship in fresh ways, bridging ancient spiritual traditions with modern, informal gatherings.
Our vision across our three Harbour churches is clear: to see Jesus known, the Church alive, and the City transformed. All Saints plays a special part in this vision.
We are situated right in the heart of the city, offering a place of sanctuary and healing, yet remaining a distinct local church for the local people of Buckland.
We believe there should be something for everyone here. That is why we are thrilled to announce our new Sunday rhythm.
We now offer a 9:30am Traditional Anglican service, complete with beautiful liturgy and organ-led worship. Following that, we have introduced a new 11am Family Style service, a relaxed gathering featuring modern songs and dedicated activities for children.
Whether you’ve not been to All Saints recently, or never at all, I want you to know that you are welcome. Please feel free to pop in and say hi, or join us for our free café on Tuesday mornings at 11am. We would also love to see you at our special Launch Party service on January 11 at 11am.
As we head into the festive season, I would love to personally invite you to see the renovation work first hand here and to join us for our Christmas events. We are hosting gatherings for all ages, including Traditional Carols, Crib Service, Midnight Mass, and our Christmas Day Family Celebration.
You can find all specific dates and times for services at All Saints, Buckland, St. Alban’s, Copnor, and St. George’s, Portsea at www.harbourchurchuk.org/christmas. We look forward to welcoming you home this Christmas.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Commercial Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, PO1 4BT.