The Modernisation of Apse Heath Church

It was decided the following year that the Hall could not be enlarged so they  looked at other possibilities of increasing space for weekday activities.

The pews from the rear of the church were  removed and replaced with modern chairs. A screen was erected to make another room/entrance hall. This area became known as the "New Room". The photograph shows the old pews with the new screen behind them cutting off the back of the Church.

In 1987 a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication was held for the New Room.

In 1989 the Church sold the land to the side of the Church, which was made up of a small car park and garages. the land came back on the market in 1992 and the Church bought it make, obtained grants and put forward plans to build a Community Centre with a Doctors surgery and Drop in Centre. Unfortunately these plans were not successful so that ideas were put forward to make better use of the existing buildings.

In 1995 a final agreement was drawn up to modernise the Church by removing all the pews and the large pulpit . Plans were drawn up to remove the old pulpit and a large cross was made out of the wood from the pulpit and placed on the back wall of the Church.

A new communion area and table were built and the olive cross from the Holy Land was placed upon it. The new Communion Table  was made specially and given in memory of Joan Tutton and George and Ernest Collis using monies donated in lieu of flowers at their respective funerals.

The pews to be replaced with modern, comfortable chairs. On July 30th 1995 the "New" Church was officially rededicated.

Don't forget to click on the images if you wish to see them clearly.