THE doors to a 200-year-old church are set to be reopened after a £400,000 refurbishment project.

The development at Trinity Methodist Church in Parsons Lane was started last May and has forced the congregation to meet in the nearby church hall.

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As part of the project, a new foyer has been created as well as a kitchen and toilet facilities.

A new heating system has also been installed while the pews have been removed and replaced with chairs.

The money raised included £200,000 from events and individual donations, and grants from a variety of sources, including Lancashire Environmental Fund, Garfield and Weston, National Churches Trust and Norwood and Newton.

The redesign of the interior was led by Clitheroe-based architects Ivan Wilson and Associates and Monks of Longridge were the main contractors for the work.

It is expected that the first service will be held at the start of February.

Minister Reverend Ian Humphreys said: “It has been a terrific effort from the congregation and the wider community to raise the money and to realise our vision of serving the community in a new way.

”The new building will help us serve the Trinity family and the wider community and develop the work we do with young people, families and the older generations.

“We can now offer a first class facility to the Ribble Valley, which will be open for celebrations, performances and fellowship opportunities for old and young, as well as weddings, baptisms, funerals and worship. We are so thankful for the way the money has come in and this first part of our vision has become a reality.

“Credit must go to all who have worked so hard, all who have given of prayers, time and money and we invite everyone to come in and see the results on our open days.”

The church plans for the new space to be used throughout the week by support groups, young people’s organisations and clubs, older people’s groups and private hirers.

The church also plans to work in partnership with a range of community organisations to develop activities to meet local needs.

Open days will be held at the end of the month which will be held on Friday, January 30, from 10am to 4pm, and the next day from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors will be able to see the new facilities, meet members of the church and find out about Trinity’s Mission Action Plan.