MEMBERS of a dale church are delighted the latest phase of refurbishment work to their meeting halls has been completed and proudly showed off the results at an open day.
Work on the first two phases of renovation work to The Pathway Methodist Church, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, have been completed using funds raised by charity donations, the sale of an adjacent property and the original chapel, and through a number of grants.
The second phase of the work, which included the removal of a stage area, levelling of floors, new insulation and the installation of shatter-proof, electronically controlled windows and sky lights, has now been completed. The former school room at the rear of the original church has been transformed into three spaces and has a professional-standard kitchen. All the rooms have underfloor heating, remote controlled windows and WiFi. New floor-to-ceiling folding doors mean the rooms can be used independently or opened up into one large meeting hall.
The chapel’s minister, Revd Beverley Hollings, said: “It’s been a collective effort. The space is so versatile now and we hope the community will use it.”
Other hi-tech innovations which have been included in the £500,000 refurbishment include the provision of iPads, for use by members of the congregation when they are ill or in hospital. Church member and former chef Charles Kirkbride said: “We’ve tried to think of everything and the installation of a camera in our meeting room means using the iPads we can stream the service on a secure network via Facetime.”
They have also created a one-bedroomed self contained flat, which they intend to let on a long term basis to bring in extra income. The third and final phase of the renovation work will deal with the outside of the building, including the creation of a new entrance foyer, landscaping, path and a drop-off point, and will be completed later this year. Lay preacher Ian Tallentire added: “We have the funding in place and the final phase is due to be carried out in September. We already have the constructors booked.”
Revd Hollings added there were already birthday parties booked and plans for the church’s Christmas lunch in December were well underway. A rededication service is also planned for Tuesday, January 22.
