A CHURCH will reopen following a £200,000 renovation.

St Mary’s Church in Benfleet has been closed for the past five months for major works, including lighting, heating and a new kitchen.

The Grade I listed building, on the corner of Essex Way and High Road, has been restored thanks to the generosity of the congregation and sponsors who have raised more than £240,000 for the project.

Church warden Terry Babbage said: “I’ve been in the congregation for 38 years and in that time I’ve never seen a coat of paint go on the walls.

“The heating was terrible, it was very cold in the winter, we had heaters up the walls but it was so cold and the seats were uncomfortable and the lighting was dismal on a dark day.

“We set out trying to change that and it’s been closed since February to sort it out. The builders are due to hand it over at the end of next week all completed and from what I’ve seen so far it’s superb. It looks beautiful.”

The church now has a new carpet, modern spotlights in the beams, and new chairs from Chelmsford Cathedral after the Victorian pews were destroyed by woodworm.

Mr Babbage said: “The lighting is superb and the new kitchen will make serving teas and coffees much easier.

“It’s a great building but as a grade one listed building it’s always going to cause us problems in terms of maintenance and this is the biggest thing we’ve ever done.”

The church was awarded £110,000 by Veolia and £10,000 from Friends of South Essex Churches as well as sponsorship from Cribbs undertakers and the congregation.

The church hopes to continue the renovation with plans to restore paintings in the building.

Mr Babbage added: “There is a beautiful screen with ancient paintings on it that we haven’t been able to cover with this money so that will be another £30,000.”

Members of the public will be given their first glimpse of the revamped church on Saturday, July 11 at the annual summer fete from 11am.