Above Bar Church has a great history and now we’re stepping into a very exciting new phase. We are delighted to have the backing of a number of former ministers of Above Bar Church and other Christian leaders.
Bringing the good news of Christ to the heart of the city has always been the heart-beat of Above Bar Church. New ministry opportunities with a refurbished building will provide fresh impetus in this vital work for the coming generation. I warmly commend this visionary plan.
David Jackman – Senior Minister of Above Bar Church, 1976–1991
God is committed to blessing His people with ‘times of REFRESHing’ (Acts 3:19). These spiritual blessings upon this church should encourage us to service and improve these valuable premises, thus supporting the ministry and mission of His church. I commend this timely project.
David Abernethie
Living Churches move and grow – unfortunately the buildings they meet in often don’t! Above Bar Church has rightly earned the reputation of being spiritually alive, meeting the challenge of the times in which we live, and a place where believers young and old in the faith, and to those still on the way there can find help. I would therefore like to commend this project as being both timely and worthy of support.
John Balchin – Senior Minister of Above Bar Church, 1997–2002
As someone who has seemingly made a career in ministry out of church building projects, I am delighted that the church which first taught me the elements of Christian ministry as a member of staff, has decided to refresh its bricks and mortar! This is much more than a cosmetic make over. Proper care of our buildings is wise stewardship. But more importantly, given the exciting future plans for ABC, this is part of a strategic missional vision to engage more effectively with the community. That’s a vision for which it is worth praying and giving.
Peter Baker – Senior Minister, Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth
For many years, Above Bar Church has had a thriving gospel ministry in the centre of Southampton. I am excited by their plans to develop their building because this will enable them to expand their ministries so that they can love and serve the city even more effectively for years to come.
John Stevens – National Director, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
Above Bar Church is a beacon of gospel light in the heart of Southampton. Upgrading its facilities and widening its ministries will be a tremendous help in the task of spreading the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John Samuel – Senior Minister of Duke Street Church, Richmond (Son of Leith Samuel, Senior Minister of Above Bar Church, 1953–1979)
Above Bar Church is a long-established and significant part of the city of Southampton in its care and commitment to bringing social transformation to the people of our city through the Christian gospel. I am very happy to endorse and commend their redevelopment project.
Paul Finn – Chair of the Southampton Christian Network and Senior Pastor of Riverside Family Church
Above Bar Church is a nationally significant church based in a strategic city with a wonderfully high profile location. Investment into such a building, with all the opportunities available to it, has got to be money well spent'
Steve Clifford – General Director, Evangelical Alliance
City centre ministry in Bristol taught us we needed not only to be good stewards of our building resources but also fully engaged in connecting with our community. I’m delighted to see ABC moving forward boldly with these initiatives.
Andy Paterson – Mission Director, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches