Alderley Edge Methodist Church enjoyed a weekend of celebration to mark the completion of restoration works to the church.
The celebrations started with a service of re-dedication led by the Rev. Ben Clowes on Saturday, 23rd June, to give thanks for work which has been carried out to renovate the church spire and east gable over the past 18 months.
During the service they dedicated the 'Upper Room', a room created in the 1990s above the foyer of the church which is being converted into a space for their children's church.
Jean Walker said "Although we still have about £30,000 to raise to pay for the work done, the contractors have completed their work, and the church has been restored from a building site to a place of worship and a hub for the local community.
"It was therefore most appropriate that invited guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Cheshire East, local clergy and officers from our sister churches in Alderley Edge, as well as individuals who have contributed in many ways to the appeal."
Paul Foy-Wilson, representing the contractors, Lambert Walker, formally presented a key to Senior Steward, Mr. Peter Young, symbolising the handover of the refurbished building.
The original oak cross tree, which dates from the construction of the spire in 1863 and has now been replaced by a steel beam, has been hung on the wall of the church porch.
A specially commissioned carving of the church spire to commemorate the restoration was also unveiled. Carved by Alderley Edge resident Ed Pilkington, the lime wood sculpture will be on show next to the oak cross tree.
Rev Ben Clowes said "What a wonderful way to mark the completion of the work on the spire and east gable and to celebrate God's goodness to us. The weekend has also given the congregation the opportunity to recognise just how much has been done and also how much funding they have raised themselves. It has given us the incentive to push on to finish the fundraising of the final £30,000."
The following day, Sunday 24th June, the church held a Jubilee Tea Party with a piano recital by Simon Conning, who studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music in London.
