Rector gets back his church!

But it has been worth the wait.

Saddened parishioners wept in despair when arsonists turned their beloved St John's in to a raging inferno part way through refurbishment work.

Fundraisers had been working hard to help pay for major refurbishment work and the church had been closed for a few months when the blaze occurred in August 1991.

The stunned Rector was devastated when he inspected the damage and doubters wondered whether St John's would ever reopen.

But, like a phoenix, a revitalised St John's has risen from the ashes and the £1m-plus renovation has turned it into a marvellous town centre focal point.

Everyone connected with the rebuild project - which began in January 1996 - is amazed at the quality of the reconstruction.

And hopes are high that St John's will eventually serve the community more comprehensively than ever.

The Rector said:"The parish church has been a dark cloud hanging over my ministry. It has been very tight as to whether we would make it or not.

"I'm relieved the church is reopening and it hasn't been so bad for me as it could have been because I have also had St George's and St Phillip's churches within the parish."

Architects estimate to complete the interior refurbishment work and community room provision will cost a further £200,000, but have indicated a English Heritage grant of up to 70 per cent might be available.

But Mr Baldwin explained how plans included constructing a ramp for disabled people's access, plus indoor toilets for the disabled, but said demands meant one step at a time.

Refurbishment work has seen the worship area complete and the altar brought forward to make room for reconstruction work and the provision of community facilities.

He said:"Major work inside has still to be carried out, along with pointing on the tower. We're aiming for the year 2000."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.