Members raise £30k for fire-hit Norfolk church

Members of a South Norfolk church have raised £30k towards rejuvenating their building after a damaging fire and have now submitted plans for the work.

 

The plans for Carleton Rode Baptist Church include a new office, kitchen, open plan lounge and community rooms after the 18th century church’s school room and storage area were gutted and its actual chapel smoke-damaged in a fire in June 2009, displacing local worshippers and a newly formed youth club.

 

Although the youth club has moved back in and evening services have been able to take place at the Chapel Road church since last January, popular morning services are still being conducted in village halls in Carleton Rode and Bunwell.

 

Now, thanks to insurance money and £30,000 donated by congregation members, church officials have been able to put forward plans to bring the church back to life. The project is expected to cost about £150,000 and be completed by the end of 2011, just in time to celebrate the church’s 200th anniversary in 2012.

 

Church pastor, Rev Mark Taylor, said it was ‘very exciting’ to finally be on the way to seeing the historic building being fully used again. He said: “The fire 18 months ago was quite devastating. Lots of people were very upset by it and the village was disturbed that it took place.”

 

Comments on the proposals should be made to South Norfolk Council by January 12.