WORSHIPPERS are renewing a Portsmouth church by planting a brand new congregation within the building - and it is paying dividends.

And, according to the Rev Fran Carabott, vicar of Cosham and Wymering, this is now the most important tool the church has for mission. He helped to create a new congregation at St Margaret's Church in Southsea, and now he and a small team are doing something similar at St Philip's Church in Cosham.

When Fran and a team of 12 were invited to plant into the church, which is at the far end of the Highbury Estate, in September 2025, St Philip’s had a regular Sunday congregation of six. Eleven weeks later, in January 2026, they now host a regular congregation of 60 adults and 11 children.

Fran said: "In my experience of planting a church twice now, I would say it’s the primary tool we've got as a Church for mission, really. It's such a great way to reach people. 

"We've had moments of pushback, certainly. One of the guys who's been here a while said, 'It's not my style of worship, but when I look out and I see people worshiping, I can't say anything negative about that, no one can argue with the numbers'. Church planting works, doesn’t it.’

Fran’s church-planting journey began in St Margaret’s Community Church. He oversaw the reopening of St Margaret's in 2017 with a congregation of 12 worshippers from nearby St Jude's, Southsea - initially as a lay pioneer before being ordained in the Church of England. Eight years later, St Margaret’s Sunday services are now home to more than 120 people, with many more visiting during the week for its Pantry, community café and soft play area.

"I didn’t really fit the conventional model of a vicar at the time," he recalls. "Various people asked me if I was sure it was God calling me, and the lack of qualifications was a big concern. However, I felt a strong sense not just of wanting to be ordained, but an overwhelming burning in my heart that God wanted me to bring a church that had closed back to life.

"People would ask me 'How will you plant a church?' and I’d say 'I’ve no idea!' Yet God was still saying that’s what he wanted me to do. I knew it was him calling me."

It was five years into the journey with St Margaret’s that Fran became aware that God was stirring a call to plant again.

"Right from the very start of planting at St Margaret’s, we always said that we'd go on to plant again," he said. "It just took eight years to get there! I always thought it would be someone else we sent."

The new journey with St Philip’s began in unexpected circumstances in June 2024. Fran was required to take his churchwardens to an Archdeacon's Visitation being held at St Philip’s.

"As soon as I got out of my car, I just sensed the Lord making me notice things around this community," he said. "As we left the Visitation, there was this burden upon me about this place, and I was like, 'Oh no, here we go'."

Fran shared his thoughts with Clare, his wife, and set about reflecting on what steps to take. While at a New Wine summer gathering he received an email asking if he’d be open to assist with another local church plant – one with a budget, team and vision already established, but Fran knew it wasn’t the right fit for him.

"I plucked up the courage to see the bishop, and said, 'Look, I know this is not what you're used to, but I really sensed the Lord calling me to St Philip’s, help me figure this out?'"

After much prayer and discernment, Fran embarked upon a selection process for the role as vicar of Wymering and Cosham, and was ultimately licensed to lead the church in September 2025. During his licensing, Fran was asked to lead intercessions, a moment he recalls fondly – nine of his friends that he invited to the service gave their lives to Jesus during the service.

More new life at St Philip’s was to follow. Within their first three months, the church hosted an October Light Party for 200 members of the local community. Their Christmas events were packed out with local visitors after the team went door-to-door with mince pies to invite people along. They’ve held two full-immersion baptisms, the first to have taken place in the 850-year history of the two churches. Life groups have started meeting mid-week, weekly giving has increased, and their first Alpha session had 30 attendees.

When asked what he thinks has led to this amazing growth, Fran is quick to point to prayer and the faithfulness of God within their planting team.

"We started with a team of 12 from St. Margaret's. In one of my talks, I said, 'I just sense the Lord is calling us to plant again, and he's calling me and Clare to lead that plant. If you're interested, come and chat with me'. A few people did, and I asked a few others, and this team grew from just a few to 12."

The team began praying walking the area as soon as they arrived at the new church, in addition to meeting to pray on a Monday morning at St Philip's, Cosham, and on Wednesdays at St Peter and St Paul, Wymering.

"Prayer walking, being out and about, has been really key," said Fran. "At Christmas, we knocked on people's doors, handed out mince pies, and honestly, the reception has just been incredible. People have been blown away that we knocked on their doors to invite them. All the Christmas services were packed out, lots of opportunities. Six people responded over those services and made commitments, with three of those people now on Alpha."