The Mount Church in St Helens is helping people 'fulfil potential'

Reverend Tim Coates and the team at The Mount on Traverse Street, Fingerpost, have been working over the past three years to integrate the church into the community in Fingerpost and beyond.

The Star reported last year when the Mount Garden café was opened outside the church on Traverse Street in Fingerpost.

The outside area on the church grounds, which formerly housed the vicarage, was transformed, with shipping containers used to create the cafe, with external seating, and a stage area included.

The Mount Garden's launch in 2022 (Image: The Mount)

Tim says The Mount particularly does work to help residents and give them a sense of ambition, and the church works with many young people in the community by running youth groups.

Its offerings also include small mentoring groups around activities such as baking, drama and sports. There is also a big emphasis on music, with plans to create a music studio.

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There are also ’12 Steps’ meetings for people to gain help with issues in their own lives, a foodbank is run, and the church works with various educational institutions such as running a DJ School at St Helens College.

Reverend Tim Coates (left) at The Mount Garden (Image: The Mount)

'We want to see people become what they can be'  

Tim said: “It is a privilege to get to work with people. We just want to see them become all that they can be and have a sense of purpose.

“In Fingerpost, I think there was a sense of feeling forgotten, but I think something really special could happen here. We’ve found nothing but really great people, and it’s about helping them fulfil their potential.”

Inside The Mount Church (Image: The Mount)

The outside grounds also include a community garden where people from many walks of life grow food such as carrots and strawberries for the foodbank and there are plans for a ‘rough road trail’ for children outside.

The Mount Garden café area opened last year, and is run by mostly volunteers and a manager.

“We’d like to be able to ‘upskill’ people to learn barista skills, working with customers and work the tills and in a team, we would offer support,” added Tim, 33.

The Mount Garden (Image: The Mount)

The church, historically known as Holy Trinity, had a small congregation before the new team took over three years ago, and now sees around 160 people attending church and Tim says there is “more potential to be able to grow the community.

“I don’t think we’ve scratched the surface of what is possible here.”

He added: “If people are interested in getting involved, you’re welcome to join us.

“We’re hoping to make a real difference here and if this leads to people finding that opportunity that would be great.”

• See more and get in contact on The Mount Facebook page, The Mount Garden page, and The Mount's Instagram page.