WORK to bring a church’s lighting into the 21st century has been completed after they raised £90,000 in less than a year.
St Martin’s Church, on London Road, re-opened its nave last Saturday (March 14) after three weeks of renovations were carried out to re-wire and re-light the 100-year-old church.
David Scott, a member of the church’s council, said: “We are delighted to have state of the art lighting which will enhance the worship of the church as well as providing facilities for all the other activities that take place in the church.”
When St Martin’s discovered the estimated cost of the reconstruction they launched their SMILE (St Martin’s Interior Lighting and Electrics) appeal last October.
The community rallied round raising money through concerts, a barn dance and even a teddy’s tea party. The church leaders also applied to a number of charities for funding about six months before the work began but a third of the money came from personal donations.
The new lighting is mostly energy efficient LED lamps and will allow St Martin’s to create a number of different scenes for a variety of events.
Mr Scott added: “The church’s SMILE appeal has been hugely successful and the church is very grateful to all those individuals and organisations who have contributed to the £90,000 raised.
“Everyone in the congregation seems to be delighted with the new lighting and the church has now the facilities to change the lighting at the press of a button for many of the different activities that happen.”
