At Bessacarr Evangelical Church we seek to extend a warm welcome to all. As such, we are committed to making our events and activities as accessible as possible to anyone, regardless of disabilities or additional needs.
Sunday Morning Services at Hall Cross Lower School
Due to the capacity limitations of our own church building in Bessacarr, our Sunday morning services take place at Hall Cross Lower School (Saint Michael’s Road, Doncaster, DN4 5LT). Therefore there is much, from an infrastructure point of view, that is outwith our control.
Parking: There’s ample parking available at the school, including 2 accessible parking spaces. The service takes place in the school’s main hall, which is a short walk along a paved path from the car park.
Arrival: Stewards are on hand to welcome and direct you. If you have any particular needs, please speak to one of the stewards or welcome team who will endeavour to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
All doors are wheelchair accessible and everything takes place on ground level.
Although Hall Cross School is generally a dog-free site, officially trained assistance dogs, including guide dogs are welcome.
Accessible toilets: Unfortunately the regular toilets available for our use are not equipped as accessible toilets. However, there is 1 accessible toilet available for church use in an adjacent building on the school site, with the school caretaker able to be contacted for access. Any of the stewards or welcome team would be happy to arrange this should it be required.
Seating: The school hall is set out with plastic seats in rows.
Audio: The PA (public address) system is used to amplify the voices of the preacher, those leading the service, and those leading the singing. There is a music group, usually consisting of a piano, one or two singers and other instruments. There is no hearing loop installed in Hall Cross Lower School, so if you have hearing difficulties, you may wish to sit towards the front of the hall, closer to the speakers.
Visual: A projector is used to display high-contrast song words (white text on black) and other media (projector slides, videos etc.). Printed song sheets are available from the welcome desk including a number of large-print copies. There are no effects or additional lighting used during the service.
- around 4 congregational songs, spread throughout the service
- Bible readings
- notices for members of the church family
- occasional updates from church ministries and church mission partners
- Bible teaching, lasting approximately 30 minutes in the second half of the service
We generally only sing one song at a time and those who are able are invited to stand to sing. The congregation generally remains seated for everything else.
Communion: On the first Sunday morning of the month, we celebrate communion. All those who love and are trusting in the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins are invited to participate in this act of remembrance. Bread and wine are distributed in individual cups. The bread is gluten and dairy free and the wine is non-alcoholic.
Refreshments: At the end of the morning service, tea, coffee, juice and biscuits are served in the cafeteria adjoining the main hall. Under the terms of our hire agreement with the school, we need to vacate the site by 12.30pm.
Children and SEND
Children with SEND (special educational needs or disabilities) are very welcome to attend our Sunday morning service and kids groups. A number of our youth and children’s team are SENCO trained. More details about our Sunday morning kids groups can be found here.
Sunday mornings: Don’t worry too much if your child is a bit disruptive during the service. There is no designated quiet rooms, but members and visitors are welcome to step out into the foyer area, at the back of the hall, during the service if necessary. There will be a deacon on duty in this area throughout the service.
Children’s Groups: All the children normally spend the first part of the service in the main hall with everyone else and most will leave for their groups before the sermon starts, though they are also free to stay in the main hall with their parents/carers. It will be made clear during the service how and when the kids will leave for their groups. Parents/carers should accompany their children to the drop off point in the foyer and communicate any relevant information to the children’s group leaders. It may also be necessary to complete one of our standard Parental Consent Forms.
For pre-school and primary aged children, it’s necessary for a parent/carer to collect their child from their group at the end of the service.
Other activities taking place in the church building (including evening services)
As there are generally fewer people, BEC’s evening services take place in the church building (Bessacarr Lane, Doncaster, DN4 7PT).
Parking: There’s ample parking available in the church car park, including 1 accessible parking space.
Arrival: A steward will be on hand in the foyer to welcome you. If you have any particular needs, they will endeavour to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
Officially trained assistance dogs, including guide dogs are very welcome.
All doors are wheelchair accessible and everything takes place on ground level. We have a steel ramp at the front door to assist with wheelchair access.
Accessible Toilets: We have 1 accessible toilet in the church building with a sliding door and support rails.
Seating: The church has sturdy and comfortable individual seats set out in rows.
Audio: The PA (public address) system is used to amplify the voices of the preacher, those leading the service, and those leading the singing. Evening service music is pared back, usually consisting of either piano or guitar and sometimes 1 singer or additional musician. There is a good quality hearing loop installed in the church building.
Visual: A projector is used to display high-contrast song words (white text on black) and other media (projector slides, videos etc.). Printed song sheets are available from a steward. These can be blown up to large print if necessary. There are no effects or additional lighting used during the service.
- around 3 congregational songs, spread throughout the service
- Bible readings
- notices for members of the church family
- occasional updates from church ministries and church mission partners
- Bible teaching, lasting approximately 30 minutes
Communion: On the last Sunday evening of the month, we celebrate communion. All those who love and are trusting in the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins are invited to participate in this act of remembrance. Bread and wine are distributed in individual cups. The bread is gluten and dairy free and the wine is non-alcoholic.
Children: Children are welcome to attend our evening services, however there are no children’s groups that run during the evening service. More details about our Sunday morning kids groups can be found here.
Refreshments: There are no refreshments served after the evening service, however there is still plenty time to stay and chat.
