Penarth News
Penarth church gets Archbishop's blessing after half-a-million pound makeover
8:50am Monday 6th February 2012
THE Archbishop of Wales has given his blessing to a Penarth church, which has been transformed in a half-a-million-pound makeover.
Dr Barry Morgan joined 300 people at a special service on Sunday, January 22, to celebrate the town’s new-look All Saints Church – which now boasts a striking mezzanine floor constructed with glass and wood, with a kitchen, toilets and utility room below.
All are shown off to best effect with new lighting throughout the church.
The Archbishop said: "The church can now be used by the whole community, as well as worshippers on Sundays.
"There has been an unbelievable transformation in this church following its re-ordering and provision of new facilities.
"The worship space is still splendid and the additional facilities have enhanced that, as well as enabling the church to be used for the benefit of the community."
The work was the shared vision of the vicar of All Saints, Revd Peter Cox, and his parishioners who formed a steering committee to focus on it and completed the project in six months.
Mr Cox said: "This project has breathed new life into the church, giving us a flexible and versatile space which is also modern and comfortable.
"We will now be able to open up more often so that people can drift in to pray or join groups meeting here.
"The mezzanine floor is a great space for coffees and our breakfast club and we also now have more room for our crèche, Sunday School and Messy Church.
"The church has always been popular for concerts as the acoustics here are so good, and that will be enhanced with our new lighting and, before long, a new stage."
Revd Cox also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of parishioners in seeing the project through, saying: "Its been a huge effort to organise the work and raise funds and I am very grateful to everyone. It’s been a positive experience in community building!"
Civic leaders also joined parishioners for the service on Sunday, including Penarth Town Mayor Cllr Anthony Ernest, Cardiff South and Penarth MP Alun Michael, and the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, Roger Thomas.