A WIVELISCOMBE church has held its last service for several months as it closes for what is believed to be the first time in its nearly 200-year history.
The town’s St Andrew’s Church held its annual fete on Saturday and final service on Sunday (June 17 and 18) and will now close for around four months while builders give it a much needed makeover.
They will be improving the kitchen, driveway and toilet, as well as expanding the meeting and worship areas.
Rector the Rev David Widdows said he believed there had not been any breaks like this since the church was built in 1829.
Parts of the church, built on the site of a medieval one, have not been touched in all that time.
“I am excited about the improvements but a tad nervous, as we want people to keep on coming to our new temporary home at Kingsmead School and the villages,” he said.
“We hope it will take about four months and really want to be back in time for Remembrance Sunday.”
The church has raised nearly £230,000 towards the project and fundraising is still ongoing. It needs £315,000 to complete all of the repair and improvement project.
Worshippers will meet this Sunday outside the church and walk down to its new temporary home at Kingsmead School.
Services will take place there in the East Block every first, third and fourth Sunday from July to October and every second and fifth Sunday in the Hills churches – part of the Wiveliscombe benefice in Chipstable, Raddington, Clatworthy, Huish Champflower, Brompton Ralph and Tolland.
For further information visit the church website at wiveychurches.org.uk.