It will be a grand reopening after a long period of conservation and restoration works for St. John’s Church, Sharow, near Ripon, at the end of this month.
The church will open its doors to the public once again on April 29th. For months the church has been shrouded by scaffolding inside and out as conservators worked on stained glass, wall paintings and the construction of new, modern facilities. Now, nearly half a million pounds of Heritage Lottery money later, the church is throwing open its doors to the community and inviting everyone to come and celebrate the reopening.
The celebration will open at 12.30pm on the 29th April. The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, the Very Reverend John Dobson, will be cutting the ribbon and welcoming everyone to the building.
Dean John says of the church, “The Vision Project at St. John's, Sharow is a shining example of how the Church's vision to serve can lead to transformation for both the community and the church's heritage.
“The success which is now so evident both in and around the church building is a credit to those who have worked very hard to turn the vision into reality. We are grateful to them, and to the charitable, corporate and individual donors without whose support this could not have happened. Long may this church-based vision benefit the life of the whole community.”
Visitors will get the opportunity to enjoy tours around the building from the church’s Heritage Officer, the chance to meet the conservators and to see an exhibition of still and moving imagery which shows the work underway. Refreshments, live music and stained glass workshops will take place throughout the afternoon alongside activities for families and trails throughout the building and award-winning conservation area.
A celebratory service will be held at 6pm with the Bishop of Ripon, Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley. This will be followed by a reception with live music and refreshments to draw the evening to a close.
You can find out more on the church’s website at stjohnssharow.org.uk or on Facebook.com/stjohnssharow