Just over a week ago the builder handed back the keys to Abingdon Baptist Church after an extensive re-ordering of the interior.
Last Sunday church members returned to worship there, and today (9th February 2019) there was a special re-dedication service.
The church building downstairs was packed, and the large balcony almost full of people.
On the civic side there was the Mayor of Abingdon, Chairman of the Vale, and Councillors, two of whom are church members.
There were ministers and people from other Abingdon churches, and past baptist ministers including Revd. David Fleming who now serves in Luton. David Fleming spoke about the early vision of reordering the church. Revd. Dr Paul Goodliff, and the present minister, Revd. Steve Millard, then described how the plans had come together and been carried out.
To re-dedicate the church, and give an address, was Revd. Lynn Green – General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. She remembered being a student minister at Abingdon Baptist Church around 1992-3. She said a church could be like the Tardis in Doctor Who. It may look old fashioned and irrelevant on the outside, but inside it was bigger and so much more amazing.
Back in 2015 the outside of the church was painted from sky blue to the grey colour required by English Heritage. Solid doors were replaced with glass doors to make the building more open.
The church then closed in 2018, and builders brought a digger to dig out the old floor and baptism pool.
During that process some old bones were discovered. The police were interested until they turned out to be 200-year-old Abingdon baptists. They were reburied after an archaeological investigation.
The church building has been made into a space that can be used for future generations, and the community. The floor and the stage, and baptism pool were remade. Walls were made good so the big crack is gone. Pews were replaced with more comfortable flexible seats. There are some cinema style seats in the balcony – the best seats in the house. The interior is now bright and light. Lots of new cables have been laid to allow the latest and future technologies.
After the re-dedication service, tea and coffee and cakes were served.
