Church's £500,000 revamp hits right note with congregation, Teesdale Mercury

Church's £500,000 revamp hits right note with congregation

Sep 19, 2007

A CONGREGATION will soon be singing to a new tune as the first stage of their church's £500,000 revamp gets underway.

St Mary's Church, in Barnard Castle, is getting a new organ next month, in what will be the first step in an ‘ambitious and exciting' renovation project.

Revd Alec Harding, who is rector at the church, said: "It is a very exciting time for us all." 

After years of fundraising and collecting donations, the church can now afford to replace the 142-year-old organ at a cost of £130,000.

The old organ was installed in 1865 in memory of the Revd George Dugard, who had been rector at the church during the great cholera epidemic of 1848.

"It is on its last legs, and it would cost us about £200,000 to renovate so we know we are making the right decision," said Revd Harding.

Installation of a new digital organ is due to begin on Monday, October 8, and will be completed by Christmas.

There should be no disruption to services, as the old organ will remain in place until the new one has been fitted.

Full story in this week's Mercury