{"id":423265,"date":"2025-09-14T08:43:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T08:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/423265\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T08:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T08:43:15","slug":"i-had-a-religious-experience-whilst-having-my-breakfast-at-this-new-greater-manchester-cafe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/423265\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I had a religious experience whilst having my breakfast at this new Greater Manchester cafe&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m even half tempted to start up a sermon<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_XiylKroa_400x400.jpg\" alt=\"Adam Maidment\" class=\"AuthorBio_bio-image-figure__aHRRv\" loading=\"eager\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"AuthorBio_bio-text__yt_tm\">Adam is a senior What&#8217;s On and LGBTQ+ reporter for the Manchester Evening News, covering new restaurant and bar openings, food reviews, gig reviews, and issues that matter to the LGBTQ+ community. Adam joined the M.E.N in 2019 as a Facebook Community Reporter and also runs the LGBTQ+ Bulletin newsletter. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_AMR_MEN_010925_WCC_06jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"A church organ, boasting a neon sign saying 'Good Vibes Only', and a pulpit set the scene for a very uniquely located cafe\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>A church organ, boasting a neon sign saying &#8216;Good Vibes Only&#8217;, and a pulpit set the scene for a very uniquely located cafe<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">For the residents of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/worsley\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Worsley<\/a> village, one of the big topics of discussion in the last few years has been how to solve a problem like Worsley Methodist chapel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dating back over 220 years, the building, on Barton Road, had lain dormant for around ten years &#8211; having not served as a church since 2011. Whilst part of the building has been used for a period of time as a nursery, wider plans for its future came and went.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Then, a few years ago, the idea came about to turn it into a coffee shop. About \u00a3600,000 and a whole lot of renovations later, Worsley Coffee Co opened up inside the church at the end of last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Walking into the venue for the first time, I&#8217;m kind of amazed how subtle the whole thing is. Considering the fact that if it weren\u2019t for the dining tables and the kitchen counters selling home-baked cakes, you could still be convinced it\u2019s a church. The original organ, pulpit and balcony all remain intact and, quite literally, take centre stage of the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-cafes\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">caf\u00e9<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Stay connected with our City Life newsletter <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=d1c9a1cf-d773-47a3-b51a-f456316221bc&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_AMR_MEN_010925_WCC_08jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"The caf\u00e9 is situated in the former Worsley Methodist chapel, which was first built in 1801\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>The caf\u00e9 is situated in the former Worsley Methodist chapel, which was first built in 1801<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It\u2019s so inviting that I\u2019m half tempted to start a sermon in front of the steady stream of diners inside. But as I contemplate what my sermon would be on (perhaps the life and times of US drag legend Jinkx Monsoon), my server arrives to take my order and my train of thought is &#8211; perhaps thankfully &#8211; gone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The cafe&#8217;s menu is pretty much what you would expect from any well-respected caf\u00e9: there&#8217;s an assortment of coffees, brunch dishes, and granolas, but there&#8217;s some surprises too. Like hummus on toast, chicken schnitzel, and tuna nicoise. It&#8217;s as if your local greasy spoon made one big giant level-up and also happened to take over a church. And I mean that in the best way possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But, on this occasion, I can&#8217;t opt for one of the fancier options. I have my eyes on a Full English as I feel that&#8217;s the ultimate debut visit feast &#8211; to see how it fares with the many others up and down the country doing the same. Priced at \u00a313, the breakfast item features two bacon rashers, a sausage, hash brown, slow-roasted tomatoes, chestnut mushrooms, baked beans, sourdough toast and an egg (fried or poached).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_AMR_MEN_010925_WCC_03jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"A perfect cup of coffee can be found at this cafe\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>A perfect cup of coffee can be found at this cafe<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There are certainly cheaper options out there, but if it&#8217;s done right then \u00a313 isn&#8217;t to be sniffed at. I order an oat milk latte to go with it and take in more of the venue&#8217;s unique proceedings. There&#8217;s a map of Worsley painted on the wall, and I wonder what the church&#8217;s founders would make of the sweet sounds of Busta Rhymes and Groove Armada playing out from the pew. I think they would like it, I decide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">My breakfast arrives pretty swiftly &#8211; which is always an exciting yet ominous position to be in. Thankfully, both its contents and the plate arrive steaming hot. It looks very well presented, there&#8217;s hardly any room left on the plate and there&#8217;s even a little jug of beans to pour as I wish, which I appreciate. It&#8217;s the small details.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Considering I don\u2019t really \u2018do\u2019 mushrooms, I tackle them first but actually don&#8217;t resent them as much as I was expecting to. There&#8217;s a peppery taste to them which does a good job of masking the taste, but I don&#8217;t end up finishing them. Having asked for my egg to be fried but not runny, it arrives perfectly as asked. Perhaps not to everybody&#8217;s taste, but it ticks the box for me and showed that the request was noted.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_AMR_MEN_010925_WCC_02jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"The Full English, priced at \u00a313, was fulfilling and pleasing \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>The Full English, priced at \u00a313, was fulfilling and pleasing <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The English sausage, supplied by Grandad&#8217;s Sausages, have a lovely flavour to them. There&#8217;s a herby taste to it that sets it apart from your plain old banger. Just a shame there was only one as I could have quite happily lapped up a second. The bacon, unsmoked, is also nice and adds a saltiness to proceedings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Having poured the beans all over the sourdough, it&#8217;s a delightfully top-notch version of beans on toast, and the hash brown has a perfect crispy crunch to it that is incredibly satisfying. The slow-roasted tomato, covered in a lovely blend of herbs, salt and pepper, are delightful and fresh. It&#8217;s a very good breakfast, to be fair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Added with the top notch coffee, it could be one of my new favourite places to visit. Attracting a wealth of customers &#8211; from families, to couples, to builders popping in for a takeaway brew &#8211; it has taken on a new life and it&#8217;s lovely to see that this beautiful, historic building can be put to use.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_AMR_MEN_010925_WCC_05jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"It's lovely to see that, despite changing its use to the community, the building has been able to stay true to its roots\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>It&#8217;s lovely to see that, despite changing its use to the community, the building has been able to stay true to its roots<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It\u2019s like when you go for a rave at Victoria Baths, and midway through an evening of dancing, you stop and think that, oh, maybe this is the exact spot where Olympic champion Cecilia Wolstenholme decided to take her passion for swimming seriously before competing in 1930.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In that sense, visiting Worlsey Coffee Co is sort of a religious experience. Sure, I just had a full English, but the venue is steeped in history and significance. As I\u2019m making my way through my hash brown, it\u2019s hard not to imagine what this used to be like when it opened in 1801.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">I hope the founding fathers of Worsley Methodist chapel can appreciate the new life it\u2019s taken on. There might not be any sermons taking place anymore, but it certainly features some holy hash browns and a cup of coffee that I&#8217;d argue is more than worth praying for.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Worsley Coffee Co is on 61 Barton Road, Worsley, M28 2GX.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Join our Manc Life WhatsApp group <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KfTmjBfYQVuE2KHTPAQMIj\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HERELink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I&#8217;m even half tempted to start up a sermon Adam is a senior What&#8217;s On and LGBTQ+ reporter&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":423266,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[748,578,393,4884,2465,8827,1290,16,15,8938],"class_list":{"0":"post-423265","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-coffee","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-manchester","13":"tag-manchester-cafes","14":"tag-salford","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom","17":"tag-worsley"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115201770331717440","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=423265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/423266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=423265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=423265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=423265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}