New church revamp 'brings people to tears'

A church which has reopened after a rebuild nearly doubled its size has brought some people to tears, leaders say.

St John and St James Church in Tiverton, Devon, reopened on Saturday following upgrades which have increased its capacity to about 240 people.

Leaders of the Catholic parish said the rebuild came as a growing congregation and expanding local population had left them needing more space.

Parish priest Canon Kristian Paver said everybody was welcome and people who had visited the new church had "burst into tears" because of how beautiful, full of light and open it was.

The rebuilt church now features a new spire and bellcote, making it more recognisable as a place of worship, despite initial concerns from nearby neighbours.

Resident Kevin Finan said, although the building looked "attractive" and they had done a good job, he felt there was better ways of spending money.

He said: "It looks less like a community centre and more like a church with the spire they've put on. But I'm sure they could find another way of spending £2.1m for some better use in society rather than the aggrandisement of the Catholic church."

The church has not confirmed the costs of the works, however, Paver said the project had meant "there's something really sacred about the space".

Anna Zielinska, a member of congregation, said the new space was a great place to pray, adding: "It's absolutely amazing."

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