A VILLAGE church is set to close for around four months as the first phase of a major refurbishment project goes ahead.
St Cleer Parish Church will be toasty and warm once its new heating system is installed. The project is costing the church almost £80,000 – using up its entire reserved funds, said the Reverend Becca Bell.
Grants are being applied for, and a significant level of fundraising will need to be carried out, in order to make the second phase of the work possible, and this will entail the installation of mains drainage, a toilet, and improved kitchen facilities.
“The ‘Big Plan’ is really about enabling us to do what we already do in the church, but more hygienically and inclusively!” said Rev Becca. “We know older folk had stopped coming to worship because it was too cold for them and because there was no convenient toilet.
“We also know that the catering we do for community events and fundraising is a real challenge because of the lack of drainage and space in the kitchen area.
“Our hope is that we are enabling our building to be fit for purpose for the next few generations.
“The heating work will consist of renewing the ancient pipe work and radiators, new oil fired boilers, and turning the system into a more efficient flow and return central heating system.”
Services and events will continue at St Cleer Church until November 7. From November 8, Sunday services will move across to the lounge room of the Market Inn, just opposite the church.
“The church will need to be closed for around four months, although we will be able to hold a wedding booked for December 4, and we will have the church building from December 20 until January 3, so we will be able to hold Christmas services, including midnight communion on Christmas Eve,” Rev Becca continued.
“For funerals, families will be invited to choose a neighbouring church.”
St Cleer Church hopes to have all hands on deck to get the inside of the building cleaned up and ready for the events in December.