'EVERYONE seems to really love it.'

That’s the view of Rev Nigel Atkinson from St John’s Church in Knutsford after the transformation of the 18th century building in the heart of the town centre.

The Guardian was given a tour around the church this week to show the improvements following the reopening of the building on November 2 after more than two years of work.

The church started fundraising three years ago with the aim of hitting the £800,000 target. The project has been split into two parts – phase one being the inside, which has been completed, and phase two, which will see the outside of the church given a makeover.

Mr Atkinson told the Guardian the changes inside, which now mean it can hold 500 people in total – with 240 seated downstairs in the nave, had gone down well with the congregation.

“Everyone seems to really love it,” he said. “People seem to be amazed by the light that pours in now and how open it was. It was quite dreary before the clear windows downstairs have brought in a lot of light. We don’t attract money from grant-funding bodies as we are in Knutsford, which is unfortunate, so we have had to raise the money themselves.”

Helen Kimber, church manager, added: “The first phase cost more than we thought so we will need to do a bit more fundraising for phase two.

“We’ve spent all this money but nobody knows it until they walk in. But phase two will be all the re-pointing and it will look great.”

When the plans for the church were first announced there was concern from the Knutsford Conservation and Heritage Group regarding the movement of the stain glass windows but Mr Evans said he believes the group has warmed to the result of the building work.

“They were concerned about the windows and they wished we hadn’t of moved them but I think they still think it is a great project – it needed to be done,” he said.

Helen added: “There was never an objection to the pews being moved by the congregation and we thought there would be a battle royale but everyone seemed happy.”

The overhaul has also meant a change in the way Mr Atkinson works.

“We’re getting used to the building again and knowing what will work and won’t work,” he said.

“It is like moving into a new house and that normally takes about three years in terms of getting used to things again. It has improved my job in many ways and my voice now carries very well because it is a big open space.

If the church isn’t full then it reverberates around the building so we are going to have to do some adaptations with the sound system depending on how big the congregation is.

“I stand and talk from the middle now rather than the pulpit so there’s more of a connection with the congregation. But”This is now the biggest open space we have in Knutsford.”

And with that the church is opening a cafe in the New Year as well as making it available for events, with wedding receptions a possibility.

Helen said: “We have a fundraising concert and dinner taking place in May and that is the first one booked.

“We have the space for the cafe and a lot of mums and toddlers visit the church for the pre-school so it is going to be a place where they can come with their prams and don’t find it a struggle to bring them in. They will be able to come in and have a spot of lunch.”

To contact the church, call the office, open between 9am and 12.30pm, on 01565 755160 between 9am and 12.30.