New church in Fulford to open its doors (From York Press)

New Christian Science Church in Kilburn Road, Fulford opens

8:42am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

YORK’S newest church – and one of its greenest – will open its doors to the public tomorrow.

The Christian Science Society has built the £300,000 building on the site of its old premises on the junction of Fulford Road and Kilburn Road, which have been demolished.

Now the eco-friendly church, which has very high levels of insulation, is to make its classroom available for other religious and non-religious organisations in the local community, such as yoga groups, to rent.

The church is staging an open afternoon between noon and 4pm tomorrow to give the public chance to have a look around and chat to members of the congregation.

Church trustee Leslie Wilson said the old church had been in a poor condition – a surveyor found five inches of standing water on its flat roof – and it was also too large for the size of the congregation, so a decision had been taken to downsize.

Part of the old site had been sold off and three houses built there, with the money raised paying for the new church to be built.

Mr Wilson said the church was sometimes confused with Scientology – whose most famous members are Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta – but Christian Science had no connection whatsoever with that organisation.

He said the church was best known for its commitment to healing through prayer and Lesley Gort would give a lecture How Christian Science Helps And Heals at the church at 3pm on Saturday, November 17.

Trees will be planted in the church grounds to mark the church’s opening tomorrow by York Central MP Hugh Bayley, deputy garrison commander Colonel Jonathan Sykes, York police commander Lisa Winward, York mosque Imam Abid Salik and Methodist Minister Francis Nabieu.

Refreshments will be available from 2pm.