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WORK has almost finished on a church's £2 million makeover.

St Mary's, in Loughton High Road, has undergone the biggest change in its history, and the inside of the building has now been completely renovated with new chairs, lighting and heating.

And the centrepiece of the project, the new community hall at the front of the church, is also nearing completion and builders are on target to meet their May completion target.

The Rev Alan Comfort told the Guardian: "Things have changed so much from a church that had been almost the same for 100 years. From a church point of view we were so hidden, so far back from the main High Road, that people didn't really know St Mary's was here. The project was about how to make the church more accessible to the community so they could come in.

"We're very pleased with what so far you can see in this church. People have come in and said it's almost like coming into a cathedral."

The new hall will offer services including a nursery and coffee bar which will be open all day, as well as a space for community work - including advice for the unemployed.

Rev Comfort said he hoped the extension would serve as a new face for the church, welcoming in people who might not previously have visited.

He added: "As soon as you come in you're only feet away from coming into the church. It's your church - Loughton's church - and we want to welcome everybody. We want people to say I can go in there' and know there's a friendly welcome.

The new hall will be officially opened on May 17 by the Bishop of Barking, the Rt Rev David Hawkins.

Once open, the church hopes to stage a series of musical events at the hall, including a concert by renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.

7:05pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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