THE congregation of an historic Otley church will be celebrating the completion of a year-long restoration project this month.

All Saints Parish Church has been completely refurbished in a scheme costing more than £500,000.

The Grade I listed building has been at the heart of the town for more than a thousand years, and the project has tastefully updated the building to make it fit for the needs and aspirations of a forward-looking modern day church family, and for use by the local community.

The previously inefficient heating has been replaced with a new underfloor system, whilst the old floor has now been re-laid with Yorkshire stone. Most of the old pews have gone in favour of flexible and comfortable chairs.

A new sound system, lighting, entrance and complete interior redecoration complete the project, which has created a highly flexible and adaptable space for a variety of uses.

Vicar of Otley, the Rev Graham Buttanshaw, said: "This project has been long overdue to bring the church into the 21st Century.

"But it’s not simply about making it comfortable for our existing congregation. Our vision is to create a place for everyone, with Christ at the centre."

The new church will be opened at a special opening weekend on February 27 and 28.

Otley's MP Greg Mulholland will officially open the building at a champagne reception for community and church leaders on February 27. The Church will be open throughout the day for people to come and view the new facility. There will be a variety of exhibitions in the church, and a café will be available throughout the day.

The Bishop of Leeds, the Right Rev Nick Baines, will preach at the opening celebration service at 4pm on February 28. In the morning of that day, the Area Bishop, the Right Rev Paul Slater, will preach at the 10am Parish Communion service.

The church family of Otley Parish Church extend a warm invitation to everyone in the town to go into the church between 10am and 4pm on February 27 or to either of the two services on February 28.