Church shows versatility with lunch in the nave (From Bucks Free Press)

Princes Risborough church shows versatility with lunch in the nave

2:30pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Risborough By Rebecca Cain

A NEWLY refurbished church showed its versatility by following a rededication service with a two course hot lunch served in the nave.

The Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard, rededicated St Mary's in Princes Risborough in front of a congregation of more than 200 people.

The architect, contractors, representatives of Wycombe District Council and Princes Risborough Town Council and parishioners joined the celebration of the refurbishment, which took years of planning.

A new Chapter House was built, adjoining the church, and the interior was renewed. £1.4million was needed to do all the work, which was raised by parishioners.

The Bishop praised the new stone floor, modern sound and visual system and new seating and reminded the congregation the nave of the church belongs to the people.

The facilities will allow the church to have different types of services and open the church to the community for more activities, such as concerts, conferences and events with local schools.

Immediately after the service the church was rearranged to seat 150 guests for a drinks reception and two course lunch, followed by a quiz and entertainment.

Four students from Buckinghamshire New University's BA (Hons) Furniture: Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Arts course restored a six-foot-long pew and built a second one for the porch.

The work was carried out by first-year students Amber Bailey, Dorothy Rayner, Ann Newbold, and Jeff Day, with help from course leader Paul Tear MBE.

Rev David Williams said the pews provided a ‘fantastic entrance to the church’. He added: “We are getting more and more people coming into the church and this is the first thing they see, which creates a really fantastic introduction.

Even when the church is closed people will still be able to come and sit on the pews. We greatly appreciate the students’ help.”