A series of Sunday concerts at a community church will raise money towards a major extension project costing £1.5million.

The orchestral ensembles will form the first steps by St Mary’s Church in East Barnet towards raising £750,000 for its One Thousand Plus appeal – a fund to pay for the extension and renovation of the century-old building.

The other half of the project total, organisers hope, will be made with the sale of the dated nearby community hall, with planning permission for the site attached.

Alan Danson, the new musical director at the St Mary’s Road church, has helped compile a schedule of events to be hosted between 3pm and 4.30pm on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

The first concert in the series entitled ‘Spring to Summer’ takes place on February 23 and features renowned organist James McVinnie, who played at the Royal Wedding.

Later concerts will include the Arbory String Quartet, the Enfield Brass Band, The Fairer Sax jazz group and a vocal ensemble, among others.

Mr Danson said: “I’m very much looking forward to it. It is wonderful to have such a diversity of performers on offer.

“With the church rector being a former professional vocalist, I think it’s fair to say we’re singing off the same hymn sheet in terms of what we want.”

Tickets to the events cost £5 on the door, with any profits going to the One Thousand Plus appeal. For more information or a full schedule, telephone the church office on 0208 4414401.