After years of planning, fund-raising and renovating - with a pandemic and lockdowns thrown into the mix - the community of Barrow upon Soar Methodist Church is now enjoying regular services and activities in their new, modern premises. The revamp has given the 111-year-old building a bright new lease on life, making it modern and user friendly.

“We started discussing renovations in 2012,” said Mike Morley, chairman of the Development Group. “We wanted to make the church more accessible, particularly the worship area.” 

He explained that it had a sloping floor, steps which were tripping hazards, narrow aisles and was used for only two hours a week, for morning and evening services. It needed a new entrance to make the worship area visible from outside. The heating system needed to be more energy efficient, an extra kitchen and coffee bar was needed to cater for events during the week, and other rooms needed updating.

Architect Philip Dodd planned a development that ticked all the boxes. The new entrance would ensure the interior of the church would be easily visible from the street and welcoming. This has certainly been achieved, as the entrance and the bollards on the pavement are regularly decorated according to the time of year, be it a Nativity scene at Christmas, hearts for Valentine’s Day, flowers for Summer or a shower of poppies for Remembrance Day.

A total of £360,000 was needed to fund the renovation, of which £111,000 was raised from Charitable Trusts, £110,000 from various sections of the Methodist Church and £115,000 by Barrow Methodists. Building work started in September 2019 and finished in February 2020. 

The first service was held on Sunday 15th March and lockdown started that week. This meant that the new, fully accessible, multi-purposed building, designed to suit all ages, and abilities had to close, as did other churches in the country. The only rooms that could be used were the ones used by Barrow Playgroup, as nurseries were allowed to operate.

Along with churches up and down the country, services moved online, with a weekly service being streamed by the Loughborough Methodist Circuit (which has 11 churches) every Sunday. The “12th Church” service continues to be streamed.

Finally, restrictions eased and the church opened again for worship on Easter Day 2021. Praise and worship filled the church and the renovated rooms in the building were once again used regularly, as they are today. Not only does the church have newly renovated rooms, it also has a new Minister, Reverend Sandra Marshall who was inducted in September 2021, and shares her time with other Methodist churches in the Loughborough Circuit.

Rooms in the church are used throughout the week by New Horizons Bereavement Support Group, Fun@Church, Men’s Supper Group, Ladies Circle, Craft and Crochet, Cuppa and Chatta and MiniMart. Community Groups also use the premises: Play Group, Guides, Gardening Club, Parish Council, Panto Group and Loughborough Performing Arts.

Details are available on www.barrowuponsoarmethodistchurch.co.uk  and on Facebook.

Lindsay Ord