Hanney Chapel, Oxfordshire, moved into their newly extended and refurbished building in September
The new £130,000 extension to one side of the chapel building balances an extension built a few years ago on the other side to provide Sunday School rooms. Designed by church member Christian Randall, it gives a new glass frontage, a kitchen, crèche room and storage space, while increasing capacity for meetings by 20 to 90.
Pastor Mark Fisher said: ‘I think we are all thrilled as a church to have a much-improved facility with lots more space and versatility. We are grateful to the Lord for providing the means to go ahead with the extension.’
But it was a bitter-sweet weekend, as a couple who had played a key part in the transformation of the village chapel were being given a farewell over the same weekend. Bob and Gwyn Pritchard had moved into the village nine years ago. Mr Pritchard was transferred as an elder from Abbey Church, Abingdon, with others, in response to an appeal from two remaining members at Hanney two decades ago. They are now moving to Kent to be nearer to their family.
‘It has been wonderful how God has blessed the work in Hanney,’ said Mr Pritchard.
