An ancient Wellington church is to undergo a mammoth half a million pound revamp to help parishioners provide space for the community.
Christ Church bosses have sold the church hall on Church Walk, Mill Bank, with planning permission for three homes. The money made from the sale will be ploughed back into the church itself to create a two-floor community area at the back of the 1839 building.
Rev Vaughn Sweet unveiled plans for new toilets, meeting rooms, kitchen and a lift between the two floors at a fun day last weekend.
Rev Sweet said: “We are going to start some major work in the back of the church to convert it into a community and social space.
“The whole project will cost about half a million pounds. It is to be a major facility for the community in Arleston and College ward.
“There will be a kitchen, a big eating and social area, lifts to the two floors, toilets and a reordered worship space.
“It is all being done in the existing building.”
It is hoped the new facilities will be used by all for community group meetings and conferences.
The first phase of the project due to be completed is for a whole new roof at an estimated cost of around £150,000.
Brand new toilet facilities will also be created because with the sale of the hall, the church no longer has ‘facilities’.
Some of the pews are to be replaced with chairs with the pews given away in exchange for donations towards the project. Parishioners will also start fundraising projects to help pay for the project.
“Obviously it will need a lot of grant funding, we are waiting to hear from grant funders,” said Rev Sweet who is hoping to get funding from English Heritage and the Lottery.
“We are just about to start fundraising but we are at a very early stage and will be taking it one step at a time,” he added.
Christchurch Hall is said to have been built in the 1900s and was used for a number of community events and celebrations.