Over 50 vehicles graced the car park and adjacent green at a very unusual church event in Shrewsbury on Saturday.
REVS 2017 was a classic car show driven by Revd Adam Gompertz and a team from Holy Trinity, Meole Brace.
Among the vehicles present were a pre-war Aston Martin and Model T Ford, a 1957 limousine by Hawker Siddeley and 1970s classics such as Minis and Land Rovers. A tractor, several mopeds and camper van added variety. The most modern vehicles on display were provided by sponsors Salop Leisure who brought a motorhome and an F-type Jaguar provided by Hatfield Jaguar of Shrewsbury.
The event attracted a large crowd of locals and enthusiasts with elements for all ages and tastes: the Trinity Centre hosted crafts and games and a car-building challenge with Lego and junk modelling, racing competition with Scalextric and computer-based driving games.
In the courtyard, the noise of revving engines was replaced by the sonorous sound of the Shropshire Rock Choir while tastebuds were satiated by cafe facilities at the back of the church and a hog-roast under the bell-tower.
As well as a chance to gather fellow petrolheads together and share some beautifully restored vehicles with locals, the event had a serious purpose according to the Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Right Revd Mark Rylands, who has supported Revd Gompertz's initiative.
"It may look like a church fete and a lovely day out but it is much more than that, actually quite serious" said Bishop Mark. "Adam is trying to start a fresh expression of church based around his passion for classic cars - and it seems to be working.
"There are a lot of people here who are unchurched but have gladly bought their vehicles along. I've noticed that as I go along, they talk about their cars but then they talk about themselves and something of their spiritual journey too."
In the build-up to the event, children from the local primary school were challenged to design a car and their efforts were assessed by two highly-qualified judges: Peter Stevens - who designed the McClaren F1 Road Car (the sportscar which rewrote the rule book about sportscar design 20 years ago) and Ron Champion who designed the Locost Sportscar - a car you could build yourself very cheaply.
The event is seen as the summer party for a small but growing congregation (a fresh expression of church) that meets monthly on the edge of Shrewsbury.
"The Sunday Service Station is still in its infancy - but I am developing ideas about each one having a theme - so next month we will be asking people to bring their cars and possibly share the stories behind them," says Adam. "Although we only had eight to ten cars last Sunday, including a number of cars not at the show the day before, there was a chance to share breakfast and chat together, and we got to meet some of the bikers in the cafe too. It began to feel like we were really getting to know people.
"It's very early days - and this is a long term experiment - but it's about taking the time to build relationships and be where people are at, I am prepared for to be trying it for the long haul - and especially looking at things for the winter (often when classic cars get put away in the garage).
"One of the highlights for me was when we gathered with the drivers at the start of the day, giving them free bacon sarnie. Trinity Churches' vision statement includes the desire to set a table for the world and this was really happening as we cooked and made bacon sarnie. Usually at an event of this type you have to pay vast amounts for the beacon sarnies - so this is just a very simple way people got to have hospitality, and generosity. It was so good to see people mixing and chatting, it had a much more friendly feel than you get at some classic car events."
"One of the highlights for me was when we gathered with the drivers at the start of the day, giving them free bacon sarnie. Trinity Churches' vision statement includes the desire to set a table for the world and this was really happening as we cooked and made bacon sarnie. Usually at an event of this type you have to pay vast amounts for the beacon sarnies - so this is just a very simple way people got to have hospitality, and generosity. It was so good to see people mixing and chatting, it had a much more friendly feel than you get at some classic car events."
Anyone interested in taking part or supporting REVS in prayer or as a mission partner is invited to contact Adam by email or phone 07917 248973.
The next Sunday Service Station is Sunday July 16th, 9am to 12noon at the Montford Bridge picnic area on the A5 just west of Shrewsbury.
He is also enthusiastic about talking to PCCs, Men's Breakfasts, deanery synods etc about his experience with REVS. In addition, Revd David Cundill (Diocesan Deputy Director of Mission: email or 07540 841403) has a particular interest in supporting and advising churches and groups considering fresh expressions.