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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Barnard Castle NEWS RELEASE Church enters new phase in its history The Right Revd Mark Bryant, Bishop of Jarrow will lead a special service of rededication at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Barnard Castle on Wednesday 21st July at 7.00 pm. The servery, nave, baptistery, St. Margaret’s Chapel, labyrinth, aumbry and vestry will be re-consecrated to the service of God in this act of worship. The service will also celebrate the skill and craftsmanship of all those involved in the work. Refreshments will be available after the service. The project completes a further stage in the reordering of the church after a new organ was installed in the nave in 2008. The reordering will allow members to offer hospitality after services from the new Servery and provide flexibility with moveable pews and more space around the Font. The new heating system is more economical, effective and environmentally-friendly. New spaces accessible to all have been created for prayer in St. Margaret’s Chapel and the Labyrinth in the south transept. A working group has developed information and resources to introduce and promote the use of the labyrinth by pilgrims and visitors. The project has been financed by some small grants, a fundraising campaign, the Friends of St. Mary’s and the sale of the former Mission Hall on the Bank. The Vicar of St. Mary’s Alec Harding said “We have managed to retain those things which have given the church its distinctive character down the years but introduced new elements that will open up new opportunities for ministry and service. The rededication service acts as a celebration of what has been achieved and is a reminder that all of our work is geared towards better enabling the building to present something of God’s goodness to those who visit it” Further stages are envisaged as funds permit: the PCC has been working on renewing the lighting scheme (£100,000) and has asked the architect to prepare drawings for the introduction of an accessible toilet into the church. For more information contact: Rev. Alec Harding 01833 637018 |