SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NEWS IN 2011
(scroll down to get each item)

CONGREGATION TEMPORARILY MOVED INTO STRAND HALL

STAGE 1 CLEARS THE NAVE

STAGE 1 CLEARED THE NAVE

THE MAIN BUILDING IS REOPENED

WE LIKE THE NEW SPACE

CHURCH IS RENAMED WITH A NEW LOGO

 

CONGREGATION MOVED INTO STRAND HALL FOR THREE MONTHS

So that major work could be done in the main church building, the congregation had to move into the hall for its services and other activities.

The Elders Meeting was very concerned that this might have a depressing effect but in the event the congregation enjoyed the more intimate atmosphere of the hall, and especially sitting close to one another. This has made the transition back to the main building much easier.

The Elders Meeting also planned a several extra social events in addition to the annual New Year Party (which was a Chinese Auction this year), Burns Night and Welsh weekend.

Gathering for a service in the hall

A special church lunch was arranged

The annual Welsh Evening had distinctly daffodil colour.

 

Stage 1 included of the removal of the pews which were offered to local people on a donation basis and the pulpit. Two pews have been retained in the front of the gallery.

The removal of the pews exposed wet rot, mainly in the joist ends, and these had to be repaired, delaying the work by about a fortnight.

Many of the electricity cables were also found to be in a dangerous condition - some unchanged since electricity was installed in the 1920s. Repair work only was done because the whole building will be completely rewired in Stage 2.

The first pews are removed

Work is underway on the floor. The box in the bottom left hand corner stores our very expensive grand paino!

 

Getting to grips with the pulpit

 

Without any pews the nave looks huge

 

 

This was taken off its base and cut back into its orginal pieces for removal offsite. It will be remodeled into an altar when one of the entrance vestibules is turned into a street chapel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also helped - a working party draws breath before the next jobs.

After three months we were able to return to the main church with a grand re-opening by the Mayor and a Service of Rededication by our Area Pastoral.

The congregation assembled in the hall before processing down Lawn Hill to front good where the Mayor followed tradition by knocking on the door.

Led by the ministers and choir the congregation processed into the new nave (now called the auditorium) for the service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But on the way there was time to pause for a photograph outside the church.

 

MARKING THE CHANGE WITH A NEW NAME AND A NEW LOGO

A crowd for a cafe style concert

. . . or an exhibition

The space is good for a sale . . . .

Worship in the new space

The congregation is attentive to the preacher

WE LIKE OUR NEW BUILDING!

THE MAIN BUILDING IS REOPENED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church Meeting decided to change the name of the church from Dawlish United Reformed Church to The Strand Church (United Reformed). This was partly to identify the congregation with the Strand Centre, and partly because it was thought to be a title people would understand more easily.

To marke the change of name and alterations to the building, a new logo has been adopted. The old logo (picture far right) was devised to help people in the twon to identify the church so its emphasis was on the building and the spire (the church's current strapline is "The church with the spire").

But it is also important to show that the church is not the building, but the peple in it and around it. So a new logo is more people-related and it has been widely welcomed.

the new logo

the old logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The annual Garden Show comes to the Centre