The Oasis, Newquay Methodist Church

Brief History of The Oasis – Newquay Methodist Church

The Oasis is the modern worship and community centre of Newquay Methodist Church, located on Pargolla Road in Newquay. It is the result of a long-term vision to unite the town's Methodist congregations and create a facility that serves both the church and the wider community.

Methodism has been present in Newquay for over 210 years, with Methodist preaching recorded in the town as early as 1802. Over the years, several Methodist churches served the area, including Newquay Claremont, Newquay Wesley and Colan Mountjoy. As congregation numbers declined, church leaders recognised the need for a new approach to ministry and community engagement.

In 2008–2009, the three Methodist churches agreed to close and sell their individual premises and unite under the ‘3-2-1 Project’. The aim was to create a single centre for worship, outreach and community activities that would better meet the needs of twenty-first-century Newquay.

After years of planning, fundraising and consultation, The Oasis Centre was completed and officially opened in September 2025. The project was funded largely through the sale of the former Methodist church buildings. Today, The Oasis provides a flexible worship space, meeting rooms, community facilities, support services and a welcoming environment for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Oasis represents a new chapter in Newquay's Methodist history, combining over two centuries of Methodist witness with a modern commitment to serving the local community through worship, care, fellowship and outreach.

Building a Church at the Heart of the Community

The Oasis is a community-focused organisation with a simple but ambitious vision: to serve everyone, from conception to the end of life. Their mission is to create a welcoming space where people of all ages and backgrounds can find support, connection and a sense of belonging.

The Challenge

As a new organisation, The Oasis faced several challenges. Before engaging with Transformation Cornwall (TC), the team needed to develop a clear vision for the future and identify the right partners to help achieve their goals. They were also experiencing overlap with existing services and wanted to better understand how they could reach and engage the wider community.

The leadership team recognised the need for a long-term strategy that would help them define their unique role, communicate their mission more effectively and create a sustainable future for the organisation.

Working with Transformation Cornwall

The Oasis approached Transformation Cornwall to help shape their long-term strategy and vision. Through this partnership, TC worked alongside the team to develop a practical plan that could be implemented step by step.

The support provided by TC encouraged the organisation to think differently about its future, helping the team look beyond traditional approaches and identify new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

One significant outcome was the ability to connect with key organisations and individuals that had not previously been engaged, including Members of Parliament and other influential stakeholders. These relationships have helped broaden the church's reach and strengthen its position within the community.

Objectives and Goals

The Oasis hoped to achieve growth, greater reach and increased support through its partnership with TC. Specific objectives included gaining access to grants and funding opportunities, identifying the organisation's unique strengths, finding its place within the wider community landscape and improving public understanding of its mission and purpose.

Impact and Results

Although the project remains a work in progress, the impact of working with Transformation Cornwall has already been significant.

The team has gained greater confidence in both the quality of their work and their ability to achieve their vision. They have successfully developed stronger funding applications, improved their understanding of risk management and strengthened their organisational foundations.

Perhaps most importantly, the process has helped the team recognise their own value and understand how they can position the church as the heartbeat of the local community.

Client Reflection

As a client of Transformation Cornwall, it has been a great experience working with Clinton. This has been the standout feature of the process. He has helped us realise our worth—not only individually, but as a team. He has helped us recognise the hard work we put in, the progress we have made and the value we bring to the community.

He has helped us understand how we can make the church the heartbeat of the community we serve. As a new organisation, we have felt both supported and inspired whilst learning more about ourselves and the organisation we are building.

Looking Ahead

The Oasis has ambitious plans for the future. However, achieving those plans will require continued support from community leaders, partners, funders and local residents.

The team believes this project has the potential to make a lasting difference in Newquay and is passionate about ensuring its future success. Together, they hope to continue growing a church that truly beats at the heart of the town and serves its community for generations to come.