In order to make our premises ideal for all those groups who want to use them, as well as being what we want as a church, we have embarked on a huge project to improve the facilities that we have got.

The sanctuary will have a lighter and brighter entrance through glass doors into the lobby and then into a central aisle. It will be fully carpeted and there will be comfortable chairs downstairs instead of pews. The pulpit will be moved back a little but will look just the same, and that will make more space in the communion area. Upstairs some of the central pews will be altered to give more leg-room and be more comfortable to sit on. This will give us a total of 200 comfortable seats making it a beautiful place for worship and an ideal venue for presentations and concerts.

The side entrance to the premises will be improved by the addition of a welcoming porch and a wide corridor linking the sanctuary and the main hall. We are keeping our stage, but making it possible for it to be used as a comfortable meeting room when not needed as a stage. Along with new toilets and a quiet prayer room, all of this will make our building fit for all the needs of the community.

Work began in October 2010 with Manor House Developments of York as the main contractor. It is estimated that work will be completed during May 2011. During the construction work we will retain the use of the main hall, the meeting room and the kitchen, and so worship and all our activities can continue on our own site.

The cost of £430,000 for the project is giving us the oportunity to have plenty of good quality events to raise money and also for many individuals to raise money in a variety of ways. During 2009 Donald's cycle ride raised £26,000 to be shared between our project and Martin House and a group walked the 51 mile Minster Way raising almost £6,000. The Auction of Promises raised over £4,000 and led to many people learning new skills or sharing new experiences. A ceilidh, Christmas Fair, Burns Night, wine and cheese evening, a talk by Mark Reid of Dales walking frame and a concert by Manchester Jazz have all added to our fund-raising as well as many smaller events and efforts by individuals. It has been great to see so many people of the town enjoying fellowship at our events.