BODMIN Street Methodist Church in Holsworthy celebrated the re-opening of its hall on Saturday, May 4.

There has been a Methodist Chapel in Bodmin Street, Holsworthy, since 1841 — rebuilt in 1876 and then enlarged and re-opened in 1910 as it is known today. It is not know when the hall area was built but the façade is there in a photograph of 1880.

It was discovered in 2015 that the hall floor was in need of replacing. During that time plans were put in place for large refurbishment to include the floors of the large hall, a smaller one all on one level and to build modern toilets. 

People with mobility problems can now go from the hall to the church on one level. The kitchen has also been refurbished.

It has taken time to gain permissions and finance as the project has cost more money than originally expected due to the age of the building and to extra items needing attention while work was being done. 

The re-opening and re-dedication was carried out by Rev Graham Thompson, chairman of the Plymouth and Exeter District who led the service, and other ministers taking part were Rev Neal Street, Deacon Debbie Marsh and the Revs Howard and Anne Curnow.

There was a large congregation who enjoyed the generous afternoon tea and fellowship the event presented.

A ‘Gift Day’ was also well supported which, with some more fund raising, will enable the porch to be fitted and the opaque window above it repaired. Future ideas for fund raising include a Sankey hymn event, soup and sweet lunch in the autumn, coffee and cakes and a visit from the Arscott Ladies and Newton St Petrock Male Voice Choir in November and the church will, as usual, be having an exhibition during St Peter’s Fair week.

The celebration cake, which Felicity Paddon made and designed, was cut by senior members Fanny Cole, Elsie Prout, Doreen Hamley, Cedric Parrish, Doreen Lock and Doreen Buckingham.

A spokesperson said: “A big thank you to everyone who supported the day and helped to make it a memorable one in Holsworthy Methodist Church’s Life.”