Hope in our hearts

THE Rev Doreen Hare and fellow fundraisers at Hope Methodist

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A congregation has set its sights on transforming the neighbourhood through a £500,000 development.

Hope Methodist Church in Oldham Road, Failsworth, has big plans to renovate its building which is currently used by some 650 people every week.

The anything-but-stagnant church hopes to refresh its dim and ageing interior to create a new, modern space for community groups.

With the help of charitable, eco and development grants Hope Methodist has so far raised £250,000 of its overall target.

Ambitious Rev Doreen Hare said: "We hope the completed development will help in our social justice mission.

"We need to raise £500,000 for the physical construction of the building, including an extension to the front entrance to create a quiet sanctuary space, disabled access, interior decoration and a new upstairs floor.

"We also want to bring the old scout hut outside back into use. It is not fit for purpose but would be a fantastic extra space."

The existing church building is 25-years-old but part of the structure, including the stained-glass window date back 150 years.

Church-goers held an internal review and passed a motion to come up with ideas for the plans.

An architect on behalf of Hope Methodist is currently seeking planning permission from Oldham Council to go ahead with the work.

In the meantime a range of fundraising activities have been organised to raise the rest of the funds, including a summer fair.

A Just Giving page has also been set up to raise an initial £10,000 to cover the cost of interior design and small-scale expansion. The £10,000 would cover the cost of specialist furnishing and equipment, a dividing screen, solar panels, an external playground area with equipment and landscaping.

Revd Hare hopes that funds will be in place by the end of 2017, ready for work to get underway around May next year.

Lay-worker Abigail Parr said: "We are a church that believes in practically expressing our faith.

"A big part of that is serving and caring for people."

Ms Parr added: "This whole idea has been in the mind of the congregation since 1991.

"Our dementia-friendly group hopes to expand into an arts therapy and physical movement group. They are vulnerable adults and we want to double our capacity by creating a new space for them.

"We would also like to build a new play area with equipment for children.

"We also hope to create a quiet space - known as the sanctuary - which would be open to the public if it can be staffed."

She added: "This is a huge community space and we hope our efforts will help combat isolation."

To support their cause visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hopemethodistchurch.