Stoke’s Methodist Church is selling its pews as it makes way for its new chapel.
For decades the three and a half metre-long pews, made of heart-rimu, have been used by parishioners at the Stoke church. But last year the church’s two buildings failed an earthquake strength test, so it decided to sell its main church building and redevelop its adjacent hall and youth building into a new chapel, featuring a hall, offices, meeting room and kitchen.
The old church was sold in July and was recently pulled down by the new owner.
Parishioner Keith Drogemuller says it’s an exciting time for the church and while the renovated building will be much more comfortable, it will be done with a nod to its past. The design of the new chapel has been made to replicate its old chapel and a massive stained glass picture that was saved from its old building will be used in the new chapel, as will some doors that were removed from the old church.
“We want to bring the place up a wee bit. Make it more attractive for those wanting to rent it. There will be modern heating and insulation right through. We need to move away from having a large space dedicated to just one hour a week, having chairs and carpet means we can use the chapel as a multi-use centre, which was impossible with the fixed pews in the big church.”
The church is hoping building work can start in October and be finished by March next year. But before work begins they need to get rid of some old furniture and other miscellaneous items, so they’re hosting a garage sale this Saturday, September 6, from 9am to 12noon.
At the sale will be 20 of the 3.3 metre rimu pews, plenty of chairs and other furniture and items. The sale will be outside the hall on Stoke’s Neale Ave.
