Church leaders, civic dignitaries, friends and fellow members joined us to fill our recently renovated church building. It was a service of "re-dedication" because it has been a place of worship for over 100 years (most of those as a Railway Mission Hall) which explains its close proximity to the main station.

Purchased by us in 2002, it was a Grade 2 Listed Building in need of major renovation; one of an elite group of "tin tabernacles" in this country.

Once the project was completed in May this year the members planned and prepared thoroughly for our big day.

Local historian and former Railway Mission member, Gloria Abbott, gave an engrossing account of the life story of the building. The former Chairman of the Bury Society, Gerald Travers, shared with us how as a young lad he had sung in it and now many years later had been able to assist us in getting approval for our renovation work.

We were delighted to have representatives from various Churches, including Peter Mortimer, the Ecumenical Adviser to the Bishop of St Edmunsbury and Ipswich.  Also from  the different administrative levels of our Church, with Dr Jonathan Gallagher as our main speaker. 

The Deputy Mayor of Bury St Edmunds,  Cllr. Paul Hopfensperger, is a Roman Catholic and told us that he had personally met the present Pope in Germany when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger. However, after looking at our beliefs on the Internet, Paul felt we had much in common and he wished us well.

Some of the members, with visitors and visiting dignitaries outside the newly renovated Church building

Gloria Abbott  recounted history of the Railway Mission Hall