REFURBISHMENT  PROJECT

 

The title of our project is: “UPDATE HERE TO REBUILD THERE”

 

Stamford Methodist Church decided to undergo an ambitious refurbishment, with work taking place throughout 2005. The aim was to take the church and it’s facilities into the 21st century. Plans included renovation of the sanctuary, with a prominent cross and alterations to the gallery to ensure good visibility from every seat. The pews were replaced with chairs on the ground floor and the main entrance foyer has been opened up to form a large, light, multi-functional space.  Many complimentary comments have been made about the new look and what has been achieved.  The photograph below was taken on September 21st 2005 and shows how the sanctuary now looks.

 

 

Plans also incorporated improving the entrance and the facilities of the Church halls by providing additional toilets, extra office and storage space, and more effective sound-proofing. It is hoped that these alterations will considerably improve the facilities for the many and various clubs and societies of Stamford that currently use the rooms. These include nearly two dozen organisations for people of all ages. The facilities needed refurbishing in order to provide good accommodation for such volume and diversity.

 

Our Church has always felt strongly about the inequalities between nations, and has been generous in supporting various causes overseas.  Sierra Leone, which has suffered so much destruction and mutilation in the past through banditry and war, is now trying to rebuild its Churches at an estimated cost of £3,000 each.  When we heard this, we decided to increase our giving by 10% to rebuild Churches in Sierra Leone.  Thus our updating will go to help fund their re-building.

 

FINANCIAL POSITION

The scheme cost around £500,000. Some of this has come from grants, some from direct giving, and some from the many fund raising events. At the start of 2008 we had £48,000 still to raise.  A number of “Do it Ourselves” tasks remain to be completed. 

 

PROGRESS OF THE WORK

The pictures below show the work in progress:

 

How it used to be; November 2004

 

 

The wall under the gallery between the 2 foyers has been demolished.   26 Jan 2005

 

 

The new kitchen & welcome area under the gallery;  February 2005

 

 

The pews at the back of the gallery have been re-arranged;  February 2005

 

 

View from the pulpit; 9 March 2005

 

 

View from the back of the gallery 9 March 2005

 

 

New gallery wings under construction; 9 March 2005

 

 

New gallery wing supports; 9 March 2005

 

 

The new kitchen under the gallery, 18 June 2005

 

 

The new welcome area & toilet under the gallery, 18 June 2005

 

 

New south side gallery wing, 18 June 2005

 

 

Extended vestries, toilets & the entrance to the halls from the car park; 18 June 2005

 

 

View from the back of the gallery;  July 2005

 

 

View from the stage; July 2005

 

 

The new look; 21 September 2005

 

 

The cross was made locally from Oak;  21 September 2005

 

 

Procession up Barn Hill for the official opening, 24 September 2005

 

 

200 of us had a celebratory meal in the church, 24 September 2005