Project Update 3

14 February 2025

The first few days of work in the church have been busy!

The space has been cleared and prepared for contractors who start to arrive next week. This has mainly involved clearing and moving furniture. It’s amazing how big the space feels and it’s already possible to get an idea of the new opportunities the space will provide.

Pews

Apart from four pews that are being retained, all the other pews have left the church and we’re pleased to say that they have all found good homes.

Ten have been taken by Youth With A Mission (YWAM) up at the Highfield Oval, with the rest going to private homes - many of them church members, friends and those with a connection to High Street. 

The very last pew to be collected was taken by a couple who were married at High Street by Rev John Walker in September 1990!

Chairs

We have also found a good home for all the red chairs, which are being collected and transported to Charles Awortwi Pratt Memorial Methodist Church in Ghana. Good quality furniture is hard to come by in the country, and the church there are currently working on their own rebuilding and expansion scheme so the chairs from High Street Methodist Church will go a long way to help meet its needs. Once collected, the chairs will be shipped overseas by container.

Mark Hammond with Rev Frank Okai-Sam, Superintendent Minister of Herts and Essex Border Circuit and our link with the church in Ghana

Charles Awortwi Pratt Memorial Methodist Church in Ghana

The communion table, reading desk and candle have been moved into the Hall for Sunday services and other items have been temporarily moved and/or covered for protection during the work. From next week contractors will begin to move in - with the first job on the list being the sanding and repair of the existing wooden floor. 

Important notice: The church space is now a work site that will involve contractors, working at height, machinery and hazards. No one must enter the church space without authorisation from the Property Steward to do so, and may need to wear protective safety equipment. 

We will keep you updated each week with progress!