A historic Leicester landmark dating back to 1876 was officially reopened on Sunday, 7 December, following a major refurbishment that transformed the building into a new church for the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG).
The site, located at 2a Prebend Street, emerged from extensive restoration to serve both as a spiritual centre and a hub for community support. The reopening marked the beginning of a new chapter for a building that has played many roles in Leicester’s civic and cultural life for nearly 150 years.
Picture credit: Google
Originally built as a Quaker meeting house designed by architect Edward Burgess, the property served the Religious Society of Friends from 1876 until the 1950s. Over the decades, it went on to support the city in several capacities. It operated as a military barracks and recruiting station, became a school for the blind after its purchase by The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Institute for the Blind in 1954, and later functioned as a Sikh gurdwara from 1978, occupied by the Leicester Sant Nirankari Mission for almost five decades.
Following UCKG’s extensive renovation project, the building was unveiled as a renewed community asset.
Goldlynn Wanjiku, 39, a member of UCKG Leicester, reflected on the organisation’s personal impact. She explained that before attending the church, she struggled with depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and loneliness. “Walking into the UCKG was the turning point,” she said. “I wasn’t judged – I was encouraged to take small, practical steps to rebuild my life. For the first time in years, I slept peacefully… My smile became real again.”
She added that today she feels “genuinely happy” and no longer relies on alcohol, drugs or relationships to feel whole.
Picture credit: UCKG
The renovated church was designed to create a warm, accessible and inclusive environment for Leicester’s diverse communities. The opening day brought together local residents, civic leaders, volunteers and congregation members for a programme of celebration, testimonies and a blessing of the new auditorium.
The relaunch formed part of UCKG’s wider national investment in its 38 full-time branches, coinciding with research commissioned for the group’s 30th anniversary. The study found that 72% of Generation Z believe organisations such as UCKG play a vital role in addressing youth crime, mental health issues, homelessness and family breakdown.
Bishop Allan Passos said the church aimed to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support. “Leicester is a vibrant, diverse and hard-working city, and we were honoured to open this new space for the community,” he said. “This church is more than bricks and mortar – it represents transformation and hope.”
UCKG operates several national programmes, including the Victory Youth Group, which supports more than 1,400 young people, the Night Angels homelessness outreach, a 24/7 emotional support line, and a variety of family, relationship and community services. These efforts align with findings from the Faith and the Future research, which revealed that 60% of UK adults believe faith groups are uniquely positioned to address key societal challenges.
The new Leicester church will offer daily prayer services, youth activities and mentoring, community support sessions, family and relationship guidance, workshops and outreach events as part of its ongoing commitment to serving the city.
