AN AMBITIOUS regeneration project which has brought historic Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church into the 21st century has been completed.

The church, which can trace its history back to the 17th century, has been given a complete makeover, with a new two-storey link between the church sanctuary to to the rear and the church hall on the High Street.

Work began by local building firm Helm Construction, based on New Passage Road in Bristol, in early August last year and has now been completed.

Minister Paul Harding said: “We were able to continue our full schedule of services and meetings while the builders got on with the work around us. We are very pleased with the results and the refurbishment has been very positively received by the community.

“Although we have had to operate within a much smaller floorspace Helm have been really helpful keeping any disruption to the congregation to the absolute minimum.”

The new two-storey link connects the three separate church buildings enabling people to walk right in from the High Street and go straight through to the Sanctuary.

Phase two followed hard on the heels of the conversion of the original church building into four much-needed flats.

Helm Construction contract manager, Mark Witheridge, said: “We have worked within the existing fabric of the building as far as possible to maintain the church’s character while bringing the complex in to the 21st century, making it a more useable space for worshippers and visitors alike.”

The historic Baptist Church has been a landmark on the town's High Street since Oliver Cromwell’s day.

Mr Witheridge added: “Sympathetic design and use of materials is absolutely crucial to the congregation, residents and visitors.

"These historic buildings are a vital part of the community and it was an important requirement to work alongside local people to ensure the new building complements the High Street scene.”