PARISHIONERS from St Peter’s Church in Pilning are celebrating the end of a ten-week exile while the church was refurbished.

The extensive project, which was undertaken on the grade II listed building by Helm Construction, based in nearby Redwick, saw church users move temporarily to nearby Mafeking Hall.

The much-needed facelift to the church, which was built in 1855, includes a brand new front entrance, replacement timber flooring and new dado paneling.

New fitted units, lighting, audio, visual and mechanical works were chosen to suit 21st century congregational use.

Thrilled with the results, church warden Jonathan Edwardes described the refurbishment as “a first class job”.

He said: “We asked Helm to finish the work in just ten weeks in order to cause as little disruption as possible and they have definitely come up trumps

“We spent ten weeks in exile while the church was shut and are now looking to our first services in time for the Easter celebrations.

“We welcomed everyone back on Easter Sunday and held the first service in our new surroundings last Maundy Thursday!”

Helm Construction Contracts Manager Kim Richings said: “As the building was Grade II listed, great care was needed to protect its original features such as the stained glass window.

“The church organ and the original concrete stone slabs had to be removed and re-laid - this required two or three men to safely remove without damaging them.

“We are particularly pleased to have been able to help our neighbours at St Peter’s, which is one of the most familiar buildings in the village.

“Our commercial portfolio has picked up considerably through 2017 with a number of schemes in hand for new nursery facilities, doctors’ surgeries and church premises in addition to a large number of residential building projects.”