The Engine Room in Hale Village has officially opened new doors after four years in temporary premises with a blessing from the Bishop of Edmonton.
St Francis at the Engine Room is the first new, purpose built church in the Capital in forty years and is led by Fr Andrew Williams. Since it opened in Hale Village in 2013, the Engine Room has become a central part of Tottenham Hale life, hosting regular activities, including pop up cafés and the Make Lunch project, plus annual events like the Hale Village Summer Festival. Over 500 people access the centre’s activities each week.
The new church and Engine Room community centre will play an even bigger role in supporting Tottenham Hale. The new in-house bakery and café, run by local pizzeria Loven Presents, will provide a vibrant social hub for the whole community when it opens in November and the recently opened 36 place nursery will give support to the many young families living in Tottenham Hale.
Hale Village Chairman, Michael Polledri said, “To see the outcome of this unique partnership with the Diocese of London is truly one of my proudest moments. Creating a legacy for the community was always an important part of our role here and it’s an honour to see it finished. ”
Fr Andrew Williams said: “It was an immense privilege to see St Francis Church and Community Centre finally opened to the public. The dedication was the culmination of many years of hard effort by countless individuals, and it is our task now to ensure that St Francis can build on the work already begun to support and uplift the residents living in Tottenham Hale.”
David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, Cllr Liz McShane, Deputy Mayor for Haringey, Mike Hinch, CEO of Newlon Housing Trust and Graham Miller, Director of London City Mission who have partnered with the Diocese in establishing the new community were all at the blessing.
