One of our Ripon area churches has put itself back at the heart of its community and is welcoming all in, thanks in part to support from the Diocese of Leeds.
The church of St Mary’s Dunsforth has had a new kitchen and accessible toilet fitted, as well as a new electric heating system and some other repair works done, as part of their ‘Welcome Project’ making the building fit for the future.
On Sunday, May 3, the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, came to the church and blessed the new facilities, marking an important moment on the church’s four-year journey.
With the focus of the service being on the church building, the theme of the service was ‘living stones’, with the congregation drawing on rocks ideas of what contributes to good community, then adding them to a cairn.
Michael Wildblood, church Treasurer, said: “All is now done and a new chapter in the life of St Mary’s has begun.
“The benefits that are now beginning to be felt include the flexibility of the new facilities, which are suitable for ‘cafe church’, a new more informal form of worship.
“They have also allowed the start in the planning of a monthly Saturday coffee morning to help compensate for the loss of the pub.
“We hope these new facilities help foster a general feeling of belonging to an active community in the two villages, one that has no barriers.
“As the name of our project suggest, everyone is welcome!”
The church’s journey started in 2022, following the closure of the local pub, with the people of the church deciding that the villages of Upper and Lower Dunsforth needed a community building suitable for wider use.
After consultations with local people and the diocese, who were incredibly supportive, plans were drawn up and the appropriate permissions were secured.
The church then undertook fundraising efforts, with contributions from local residents through contacts and events as well as awards from grant-giving charities.
The church are particularly grateful for the support of North Yorkshire Council; the Bramall Foundation of Harrogate; the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust; and the Diocese of Leeds, who gave some £4000 through our Buildings for Mission Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund and our Church Buildings Fund.
The work took place through the summer of 2025, and the church reopened with the new facilities in November 2025.
The Diocesan Church Buildings Grant Scheme, including the Diocesan Church Buildings Fund, the Buildings for Mission Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund and Environment Programme Net Zero Carbon Quick Wins Fund, is open for applications until Tuesday, June 30.
To find out more, please click here.