A VICAR'S vision is breathing new life into a landmark Rossendale church which would have probably been redundant in a couple of years.

St James Church, perched on a hill above Haslingden, is a Grade II listed building built to accommodate 2,000 people.

Now, thanks to an initiative inspired by Father Roger Smith it will have a secure future for at least the next 50 years as a church and community base.

The work includes creating a community hall at the rear of the church. Upstairs the gallery will be transformed into a walk-in display and exhibition area with a permanent base for local historical society Haslingden Roots.

The former dirty green ceiling, which was badly damaged by fire two years ago, has been transformed with stunning blue and red and gold panels and red and gold bosses. Chandeliers have been refurbished. Outside, the south roof has been replaced, parts of the building have been repointed and the fire-damaged porch has been carefully taken down stone by stone, each one numbered, and when work is complete it will be rebuilt. Serious dry rot has delayed some of the £280,000 project, funded by the sale of the church hall, English Partnerships, the Church Urban Fund, Diocese Opportunities Fund, Tudor Trust and Rossendale Council.

Since work began in June, the congregation of 100 has relocated to the school hall but Fr Roger said: "The congregation has increased which shows that the previous congregation was not hooked on a building.

"We would like the church to be open all the time, all days of the week and we want schools and groups to make use of it."

Local companies have been employed to carry out the refurbishment and foreman and joiner is Cees van der Shans, of Helmshore, whose son Adrian is the church organist.

Cees has built a new dais which can also be used as a stage for performances and Fr Roger is having an altar made for the dais in memory of his late mother Constance. Although the rear of the church is going to become a community hall, a Lady Chapel is being created which Fr Roger said will always be open for people who want to spend time there.

The church will be blessed and re-hallowed on February 25 - the day before Fr Roger's birthday.

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