Stalham church celebrates major renovation

After fund-raising activities raising more than half a million pounds, and almost a year of building work, Stalham Baptist Church have refurbished the ancient schoolroom which sits alongside their chapel.

The work on the schoolroom adjoining Stalham Baptist Church has brought a number of improvements to the building, which was originally built in the late 1800s. The rebuilt interior has improved access to and from the main worship area and a new floor has been added to replace the previous one which was subsiding. The space now features a large and modern kitchen, new meeting rooms, a new stairway to the original church’s organ loft, and to the joy of the congregation… internal toilets. It is expected that the changes to the building will benefit not only the church but also the local community.

On Saturday January 13 the renovated area was ceremonially opened by county councillor Margaret Dewsbury. As Councillor Dewsbury cut the ribbon into the revamped area, she told the congregation: “this transformation is more than just a physical change, more than just bricks and mortar. This is an excellent example of a community project, it is a place of hope, and we expect a ripple effect from this to affect many lives in the community.”

In the early days some were sceptical about the gutting and rebuilding of the schoolroom. “There were those who thought this could not be done,” acknowledged Rev Ron Skivington, who has been pastor at Stalham Baptist Church since 1989. “But God guided us every step of the way.” He reminded the congregation that in the Bible, Joshua put stones by the riverside, to show what God had done for them, saying “these stones will stand as a memorial forever.” In the same way, Ron said, they now hope that generations to come will use the renewed area and appreciate the work that has been put in.

Assistant pastor Jerry Otieno paid tribute to the vast number of people who worked on the project: “we mark the faithfulness of God and those who worked in faithfulness; people believed in this project, with large and small donations. May all who use this space feel welcomed, respected and included.”

Many people connected with the church carried out fund-raising activities; tributes have even been paid to the builders involved, who were sufficiently respectful during their work that when they realised a funeral was being held, they courteously switched off all power tools and worked silently.

Among the various money-making projects suggested in recent years was the offer by a local ceilidh band to run a fundraising barn dance in the schoolroom. At the time, pastor Ron Skivington had smiled and said regretfully: “the floor won’t stand it.” Reminded of this after the opening ceremony, he said: “It will now!” 


Photo of Stalham Baptist Church with the Schoolroom on the right, courtesy of Stalham Baptist Church.