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.
Good to know – we were married there in 1971 and my sister in law was baptised in the old pool !
Horsesmouth – if you would like to come and look around, you would be more than welcome. Come and join us for a Sunday service at 1030. Weekday use of the Church is slowly getting back to normal after the building works!
Hope to see you soon!
That’s very kind of you Mr Dog and I’m sure we will take up your kind big invitation soon, whilst on the subject of Abingdon buildings that have recently gone through renovation can I bring up the subject of the new cinema
(sorry Monica)
We just been to watch the rugby in the Crown & Thistle, normally it’s packed- but not so today, enquiringly with the staff as to why they said the cinema is now showing the rugby too, they went on to say how staff from the cinema had been spying on them trying to find out their most popular gin, favourite wine and most popular beer, apparently now the cinema (during rugby) are selling the same drinks but a tad cheaper, for me this stinks because basically the town council has invited an outfit to occupy a public building ( no doubt at a discount) which in turn is setting about to destroy local business! How would they like it if every pub in the town started to show films ?!
It was a real privilege to be back in Luton to see the plans drawn up back when I was minister of the church come to life. the minister now, Steve Millard, and the church have done an amazing job, and have created a building worthy of Abingdon in the 21st Century.
Just a point on aesthetic rather than religious grounds. This is is not meant to be fatuous..
I think the new colour scheme chosen for the outside of this building is a great improvement on the former baby-blue exterior.
All credit to those involved in this project.
It’s going to look great as flats in a couple of years