Greyfriars Church — Local services in Reading

Greyfriers church in Reading embarked upon a multi million pound development of their grade one listed 500 year old parish Church this year. This was the start of a visionary and transformative development many years in the planning. Chris the project director presented us with a very ambitious proposal. The church hall was to be nestled behind a new 4000 sq foot glazed atrium which was to become a zoned multi purpose open plan space with the flexibility to serve the needs of the churches traditional roles. Marriages, christenings, funerals regular worship and all the regular annual Christian celebrations. Nothing unusual so far just the traditional admirable work of supporting the congregation and local community. Then Chris explained that we were contracted as the atrium was to have a fully fitted out artisan coffee shop open to the general public. It was also to have a large retail area for stationary and book sales, an art display area for local artists, a secondhand book exchange, a quite space for counselling and a longe area for get together, a toddlers and young children's reading and book exploration area, and finally a central feature circular seating area for church group meeting for up to 20 which could be maneuvered into various configuration, oh and not to forget a combined church reception area, cashiers desk and hospitality drinks and biscuits service point. After taking a deep breath we accepted this complex and rather unique challenge and almost one year after we embarked upon this epic project we are proud to see it all now coming together as planned. We were trusted to help Greyfriers achieve their vision for the future of the church with their ground breaking new facilities to serve the community and reach out to the wider population of Reading. We hope that they are as pleased with the final results as all of us are at Catersales. I believe that Greyfryers will become a model example of how our Christian churches can become community hubs for all to share, appreciate, enjoy and benefit from. They will be opening to the general public at the beginning of November so if you are in Reading make sure you visit this wonderful space and revive yourself with one of their excellent beverages and a lite lunch. Also take a moment to visit the church itself with its uplifting bright interior it is a...

The attitude and kindness of staff serving in the Cafe for our Christian true faith needs upping I reckon. They should do their work as well as or better than baristas in high street cafes . If they are doing this as a proper job. The prices also here seem oddly high for caring Christian faith shared we tell of . Up to the mark by our God as we must. Being free indeed to be so. One or more staff looks miserable, not happy , glad and with free with Joy as should ??? be.... Which is surely what the Faith is about? I have every belief, or fear, by the way, that some so say proper manager here, will all reply to me all twee and 'politely' make excuses... and say we are all imperfect and need kindness..etc etc etc ?? ..?. Indeed we do ! But that does not mean more or not what it does too. - And if folk in every other job have to keep up the standards and folk work in a Church to have it easy . And not be held to standards ...for the Faith and God. ...then...!?? Which way around are things going. Kind true best to everyone...

After some online communication with Andril, we went to meet him regarding letting an event space. Andril not only met us late and letting us wait half an hour, he was also rude. He didn't care for any introductions or apologies, hastily showed us an event space that wasn't what we were interested in, and simply said the event space we wanted to see was currently busy even though there were only 2 people inside chatting at the time. When enquiring about renting the 'Sanctuary' room in the church without mentioning any specific dates or times, he simply said it's too busy and fully booked for the whole of next month without any hesitation. He quickly showed us out and told us we're better off looking at the church down the road. Absolutely disappointing and unprecedented treatment...