THE completion of a project to give Watchet a new community facility in the heart of the town was celebrated last Saturday.

The official opening of The Sanctuary in Swain Street attracted around 180 people from across the country.

And although the £130,000 scheme to turn a former newsagents shop into a meeting place for a range of activities has been spearheaded by local Baptists, the facility will have an open door to the community.

Watchet Baptist Minister the Rev Carl Smethurst said many churches now realised that the place to be was in the centre of the community, rather than simply providing somewhere for people to worship for an hour on a Sunday.

Watchet Baptists hold their weekly services in the town's Knights Templar First School but the completion of The Sanctuary has given them a flexible base they hope will live up to its name.

The refurbished downstairs room houses a coffee shop and meeting area for up to 40 people, where youth groups, mums and toddler groups and friendship sessions for older generations are already thriving.

Meanwhile, the upstairs space can be used as one or two rooms with a total capacity for 30 people.

It has so far hosted sailing courses and is soon to be a base for the family charity Home-Start West Somerset and a counselling service.

And the building also boasts a prayer room to give people - of all faiths or none - a quiet space for reflection.

"The Sanctuary is not just for church members - it is very much a community facility in the heart of the community," said Mr Smethurst.

"It makes sense for it to widen its use to as many people as possible and we are delighted with the response so far."

The building was bought two years ago, with renovations getting underway last May.

The builders moved out in December leaving supporters a couple of months to add the finishing touches before opening the doors to the public in February.

The official opening ceremony - which followed a celebratory lunch and thanksgiving service at Knights Templar School - was led by South West Baptist Association team leader the Rev Jez Brown, with the help of Mr Smethurst and former Watchet Baptist Minister the Rev Dave Winfield.

"It was a brilliant day," said Mr Smethurst.

"We have been supported, both financially and in prayer, by people across the world, which is very encouraging."

Grants, fundraising events and donations have so far brought in £100,000 towards the cost of the project, with a 'Buy a Brick' appeal raising almost £12,000 alone.

And organisers are now turning their attention to meeting the £30,000 shortfall.

More details on The Sanctuary's opening hours and facilities are available on site or at http://www.thesanctuary.org.uk">www.thesanctuary.org.uk.

Photo: Steve Guscott