Church 'moves with the times' to stay relevant

A church with a unique stained glass window is diversifying its events to keep people coming through the doors.

St Andrew's Church in Thursford, North Norfolk has just 10 people in its regular congregation, but frequently see more visitors for concerts and coffee events.

To help fund a new stained glass window in 2018, village residents made donations in exchange for their own personalised panel.

Warden Lance Sharpus-Jones said: "We have to move with the times, and that's what we're trying to do. It's a struggle, but we must not give up."

The 2021 Census saw a 13.7% drop in the number of people identifying themselves as a Christian in North Norfolk, compared to the 2011 figures.

Mr Sharpus-Jones said: "Looking at religion in this country at the moment, it's very sad that there are not that many people there to support it."

"I think if we don't modernise religion and the church, we are going to end up with no congregations," he added.

One way St. Andrew's has funded repairs and modernised their church is through its unique stained glass window.

Described as a "time capsule", the window was created by local stained and leaded glass makers Kieran and Rose Waits, who run Driftwood Glass Studio in Burnham Deepdale.

"We thought it was a good idea to bring the community together," Mr Sharpus-Jones said.

Nine families contributed and each has a dedicated pane in the window, telling a story of their lives.

Mr Sharpus-Jones explained that one panel contained wheat for a family of farmers, a rugby ball, and a hockey stick, to symbolise their love of sports

Another panel contains a depiction of a steam engine and a galloper from the Thursford Collection, and a dancer from their famous Christmas Spectacular.

"I feel that we couldn't have raised the money unless we involved people and it was personal for them," he said.

Making the church a community space is key for Mr Sharpus-Jones, who wants everyone to make use of its facilities.

Recently, it has hosted performances, meetings, and even a murder mystery play.

"It brings people into the fabric of the building, so they're not scared to come in," he said.

"They won't think it's a closed shop, that it's Christianity and that they aren't Christians, so they don't need to come in."

Mr Sharpus-Jones said he hopes that opening up more events like this will help to get younger people involved in the church community.

"It's a way to make it soft and easy, not hard Christianity," he said.

"We want this to be here for a few more centuries."

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