In 1994, a group of nine young people were sent out from All Saints Caledonian Road to plant a new church. Six months later, they moved into the derelict King Edward VII pub at 64 Barnsbury Road, and Church on the Corner was born.
From the beginning COTC was creative and missional, helping those who wouldn’t normally ‘do church’ to encounter Jesus. In the early 2000s, we came to see ourselves as part of the ‘Fresh Expressions’ movement.
For the first 20 years, COTC attracted large numbers of young professionals moving to Islington. In the 2010s, with rents skyrocketing and new young professional-focused churches opening in the area, the influx of new people slowed. Our congregation settled around a committed core of long-term worshipers.
By 2023, numbers were down to a handful of regulars, and we joined together with St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, to become part of Barnsbury Parish. The church was kept going by the incredible efforts of this small but devoted group. Nonetheless, it was a difficult time for COTC.
Despite the struggles, the desire to see people encounter Jesus drove us on. We felt God asking us to go back to our roots – creativity, mission, ‘fresh expression’ – but with a change of focus. Instead of primarily working to draw young professionals into our Sunday congregation, God asked us to bring His love out into the community. We were being called to deepen the ways we know and love our neighbours – especially those facing the effects of poverty, marginalisation, isolation, and ill-health.
The arrival of Revd Idina Dunmore as minister in July 2023 was part of this change in focus. An ordained pioneer trained at the Church Mission Society, Idina’s vocation is incarnational mission: in this case, helping COTC embody the compassion, generosity, and justice of Jesus in our local area.
Since 2023, Church on the Corner has built deep relationships on our local estates and with local community partners (we are a core member of the We Are Cally coalition of local voluntary and charitable organisations). We have prayerfully engaged with community organising and asset based community development approaches to: build projects that meet the needs of our neighbours; organise large events to encourage community cohesion; engage in creation care; and begin developing new worshiping communities. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we are working with God to bring His radical hospitality and transformative hope to our area.
And now our congregation is growing. Having encountered the love of Jesus through our work in the community, a diverse range of neighbours want to understand more about following Him for themselves. Our Sunday services, discipleship groups, Sabbath meals, and prayer meetings are now a beautiful mix of people coming together across social, economic, and cultural difference to grow in faith together.
As a result, we are conscious of creating the space for everyone to grow in faith regardless of their background and pre-existing knowledge. We major in thoughtfulness and creativity in worship and teaching. We encourage curiosity and questions. We focus on relationships and creating a feeling of family.
Going forward, we will continue to explore new ways of loving God, loving our neighbours, and loving creation in Barnsbury Parish. Join us!
Church on the Corner 