“I love Phillack church.”

After living in Australia for more than 50 years, Eileen West has travelled across the globe to Cornwall where the local church community have welcomed her in.

Eileen was not afraid to move into a new community because she knew wherever there was a church, she would be made welcome – and she wasn’t wrong, thanks to the congregation at Phillack church.

Just over two years ago, Eileen and her husband were starting to think about moving as their Australian property was becoming a bit of work. They hadn’t been planning on moving to Cornwall until a purple parcel arrived on their doorstep one day.

David, Eileen’s husband, became a godfather in the 1960s and had made an effort to stay in contact with his godson, who lives in Cornwall.

Eileen says: “David’s godson kept in touch with us while we were in Australia and he visited us many times.

“When we said we were thinking of moving, he asked if we’d thought about coming to England. Two weeks later a purple box arrived, and it said ‘David and Eileen’s Cornish adventure. Think about coming to Cornwall. Come to Cornwall and we will take care of you.”

Inside the box was a wealth of information about the county from library opening times to U3A courses.

Eileen came over to the UK to start house hunting.

“One day I saw a property in Hayle,” she says. “I had never been to Hayle, so I caught a train and I walked up to Phillack and there I could see the church.

“I thought this is going to be perfect. I can walk to church.”

“I love Phillack church.”

She has now been a member of the congregation for more several years.

Born in Hertfordshire, Eileen moved to Australia when she was 22 for £10. She travelled over with her now husband and lived in Western Australia where she worked in the administration department of a hospital.

She says she’s always loved Jesus and knew him before she was born ‘because my mum went to church in Hemel Hempstead’. She says it’s thanks to her mother and church youth groups that she has stayed with Jesus all her life.

“Wherever I go, I have only got to walk into a church door and I have friends,” she says with a smile. “I always find I have been made welcome in the church. I also know I am never alone because Jesus is there.”

“I always find I have been made welcome in the church. I also know I am never alone because Jesus is there.”

After settling in Cornwall, Eileen planned to be a member of the congregation in Phillack Church, attending once a week. But she is now becoming involved with the PCC and also volunteers with the local Rec Youth Group. Here members from Churches across Hayle volunteer their time to offer young people a number of activities including crafts and games, and there’s a café for refreshments too.

Eillen says: “I love Phillack church. I also love the music and the organ.  It is lovely to go there, to feel close to Jesus and sense his presence.”