St John’s Church in Donisthorpe has embarked on a new chapter, reaffirming its commitment to be the heart of its village community in north-west Leicestershire.
The historic church was recently rededicated by Bishop Saju during a service of thanksgiving, marking the completion of a significant reordering project that has been more than a decade in the making.
The ambitious plan, aptly named ‘The Village Heart at St John’s’ has transformed the church into a welcoming and versatile space for the entire community.
During the official reopening weekend, which included a community fun day, around 1000 people stepped through the doors of St John’s and were ‘wowed’ by the renovations.
The Revd Canon Vivien Elphick, former Team Rector of the benefice who retired in September 2021, was the driving force behind the vision during her time in the parish and returned to the village to officially open the day’s festivities. 
The parish of St John’s serves the communities of Donisthorpe, Moira, Oakthorpe, Stretton-en-le-Field, and Acresford.
Their journey began some 17 years ago when the church village hall was condemned and sold. This gave a starting fund for the cause and spurred the vision, borne by a group of village residents and regular churchgoers who recognised the need for the creation of a new shared space ‘for all’ in the parish.
With the support of Gill Elliott from the Diocese of Leicester Church Buildings Team and the expertise of conservation architect Peter Rogan, a comprehensive plan was developed to reorder the church from front to back.
Despite being a listed building dating back to around the 1840s, St John’s has been sympathetically transformed to meet modern standards.
Significant structural changes have been made, removing old box pews and the vestry, moving the font, levelling and installing a new central nave floor with aisle, and creating a large, ornate sanctuary with handcrafted oak furniture and altar. The reordering has made the church fully accessible.
Several new facilities, such as a servery with a commercial dishwasher, boiler, a fridge and storage cupboards, as well as toilets, all now have a place in this multi-use community space.
The project has received tremendous support from the local community. The ‘Village Heart at St John’s’ team, made up of dedicated volunteers, has played a crucial role in keeping the project on track, alongside the support, planning and preparation from Donisthorpe Community Group.
The work was funded through a combination of £280,000 from the sale of the church hall, a £235,000 grant from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, and contributions from various local and national funding bodies and charities, including the LeicesterShire Historic Churches Trust.
Personal donations and money from the sale of St John’s old wooden pews also contributed to reaching the total cost of around £800,000.
The team says support, advice and training from VAL (Voluntary Action Leicester), was ‘a God send’ in helping them secure the funds needed.
Being without a church building for a year has been challenging, but has helped to strengthen relationships in the village, says Revd Barry Dryden, chair of the project and retired minister, who has worked tirelessly to enable this church community to realise its dream.
“The journey has been long, and not without its setbacks,” explains Revd Barry. “During the last year, throughout the renovations, we’ve been holding services at The Halfway House village pub - who have been very hospitable.
“This partnership has allowed the church community to continue gathering for Holy Communion, morning prayer, and lay-led services, while encouraging members of the wider community who might not normally come into church to join the fold.”
They also received a warm welcome from the congregation of the Wesleyan Reform Church in the area who 'helped them out' on festival days, and for which Revd Barry and the church community are thankful.
The reordering project has opened up new possibilities for St John’s Church - to grow in its mission and ministry, and to serve the community. From weddings and school visits to film nights and concerts complete with a stage, the new tech such as Wi-Fi, updated audio-visual equipment, contemporary lighting, and a new Viscount organ, will aid a variety of activities.
St John’s Church is committed to offering hospitality and sanctuary in its parishes and now has the chance to build upon its already established groups.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time, full of hope and joy,” says Revd Barry. “The modern environment and its wow factor, combined with the church’s historical charm, invites everyone to step across the threshold and feel at home.
“The church is now better equipped to serve the community, offering a vibrant, inclusive place for worship, events, and gatherings for generations to come.
“Our church’s vision for ministry is evolving. We want to be a place where people can turn to God in times of crisis and thanksgiving, we want to be a welcoming environment where people can come in for a warm hour, a cup of coffee, and a chat.”
Gill Elliott, Diocesan Building Development Enabler & Church Buildings Team Leader, has helped guide St John’s on this journey and is delighted to see the results.
She said: “It has been a privilege to support the Project Group in realising their vision for this building. The interior of this Grade II Church has been transformed and is an outstanding example of how new work, designed by a local architect and constructed by local craftsmen, can enhance a historic place of worship and make a positive contribution to it being a significant place for current and future generations of the local community.”
Revd Barry and the team recognise that the next six months will be ‘a steep learning curve’. They are thankful to God for new volunteers who have come forward to support the church in both its outreach and its day to day running, including a caretaker and two churchwardens.
“Hope breeds hope, and people want to be a part of that,” says Revd Barry. “Placing our trust in God’s hands, for the things we cannot do - and seeing him at work - reminds us what we can do if we put our trust in him.”
Bishop Saju spent time in Donisthorpe during the celebratory weekend, leading the service of rededication alongside the Ven. Claire Wood, Archdeacon of Loughborough, and sharing in the hospitality of church and community. Around 130 people attended the uplifting service, including invited guests, and parishioners past and present.
“It was a very special morning,” says Bishop Saju. “What really struck me was the relationship between the community and church and what a brilliant job had been done,” he says. “I met so many people, but I’d like to celebrate Revd Barry, who at the age of 80 is phenomenal, and everyone who has been part of this positive story. Here is a church full of energetic lay people – there really is hope for the future.”
