Income from hundreds of Kirkby Stephen Methodist Church coffee mornings has helped create a warm and welcoming community hub with modern new facilities.
A service of celebration was held on Saturday followed by a “chapel tea” in the hall next to the Methodist Church.
The Rev Stephen Radford said it was a chance to thank all of those who had worked hard to bring about a dramatic transformation as part of the £200,000 refurbishment project.
The church hall is now used almost every evening — and many afternoons — by the likes of the scouts, cubs and beavers, Gardeners of Eden, Memory Club and Kirkby Stephen Ladies’ Group.
Kirkby Stephen electrician Adrian Alderson was involved in helping to fit out the new kitchen, which was installed by Paul Alderson, with materials supplied by Atkinsons, while Appleby-based J F Flooring provided the hall’s new floor.
Painting and other work was done on the hall by John Thwaites and Ambrose Coulthard, with the church window and door repairs being carried out by Graham Alderson and a new boiler and heating system being installed by Bowker’s, of Morecambe.
Mr Radford said the church had considerable funds raised before the start of the work, including £100,000 from coffee mornings and fundraising events over a number of years, and the sale of property next to the chapel.
In addition, over £40,000 came from grant funding along with a similar sum from Methodism, circuit, district and national, which the team led by Bernard Thornborrow raised.
“The real value was over £200,000, with the work done for free and with personal giving as well,” said Mr Radford.
About 80 people attended the celebration service to mark the chapel and hall refurbishment, which took place on the 187th church anniversary weekend. Invited guests included the funders and builders involved in the refurbishment, along with members of the chapel, district and Churches Together.
Mr Thornborrow, who had led the fundraising, thanked the funders for their support and also the many skilled craftsmen who brought about the dramatic transformation into the community hub now in place.
Following the service, guests enjoyed a shared chapel tea, all provided by members of the church community, and took part in tours to see the new kitchen and environmentally friendly heating system.
The anniversary celebrations continued on Sunday with services led by Mr Radford and his wife Heather, supported by the Good News Singers. A shared meal followed the morning service using what was left over after the “feeding of the 5,000” on the afternoon before.
Mr Radford added that the refurbished church hall now also hosts a warm space for residents.
This takes place fortnightly on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 4pm. The next one will be held on March 28.
