St Mary's Church reopens with new community space

Nearly 13 years after the project was first discussed, St Mary’s Church held a rededication ceremony last Sunday (October 25).

The Grade II* listed building on Church Street has been transformed by the removal of its Victorian pews and installation of a new wooden floor.

Now, a more flexible space, the Church can accommodate different formats of worship and provide a venue for community activities and events.

The adjustable pews allow the whole of St Mary’s School to fit into the church, by sitting on the wooden floor.

Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Rev’d Jeff Hopkin Williams, said:

“I am immensely grateful to those who have believed in this project, fundraised for this project, and worked on this project. It has breathed new life into an old building allowing it to welcome and serve generations to come.”

Costing around £550,000 in total, the building works were carried out in three phases, funded by a mixture of donations and a charity grant.

The redevelopment began in March 2020, around the time the church was required to close under the Government’s Covid-19 regulations and were revealed last Sunday.

Given COVID-19 restrictions, the number of people in attendance was limited to those closely involved with the project.

Charity Witts, a member of the congregation at the service, said:

“I have been to church meetings for many years and often it seemed that the project would be impossible to realise. To see it unveiled this morning was quite overwhelming. … It is a beautiful, inspiring, accessible space.”

When COVID-19 lockdown restrictions finish in December, St Mary’s will hold Sunday morning services for up to 30 people at 11 am in addition to its popular Zoom services at 9.30. The church is also open for private prayer for up to 20 people at a time on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.

For more information, you can contact St Mary’s Parish Office on 020 8744 2693 or email buildings@stmarytwick.org.uk