A FORGOTTEN bank account that lay dormant for years has been crucial in transforming St Catherine's Church, Horwich into a place of worship for the Millennium.

And some say that the money's reappearance - just at the right moment to save the church - was "almost a miracle."

Several years ago the church, known widely as one of the coldest in Horwich, looked doomed.

It was in a state of disrepair and the authorities were forced to sell off land - where St Catherine's nursery now stands - to pay for repairs.

The vicar, the Rev Martin Short said: "It was in real danger of closure. There had been plans to revamp the church, but the money to do it was not there."

But three years ago, completely out of the blue, a bank statement suddenly dropped through the letter box, which said the church had an account which contained a staggering - £147,500.

Back in the 1940s, when the church owned the school, church bosses used to put a bit of money away to keep the school running.

However, when the school passed into the hands of the local authority the account was forgotten and over the years had been accruing interest - £2,000 grew over the decades into nearly a quarter of a million pounds. Just enough to pay for a total overhaul of the church interior.

Church warden, Alan Focard, said: "They say God moves in mysterious ways and this money suddenly appeared.

"It is like a miracle. When we first saw the statement about the account we nearly sent it back. We couldn't understand what it had to do with us - because we had no idea it existed."

With the money, the main body of the church has been completely redesigned, with a partition down the middle. It can be used as one large room, or two smaller ones.

Upgraded

The wooden pews have been replaced with comfortable, upholstered chairs, and the floor has been carpeted. The central heating system has been upgraded, and there's a new raised dais for church performances and a newly created baptism area.

There is also a new path, with disabled access, leading directly to the front door. Worshippers from adjacent St Catherine's nursing home can now enter in wheelchairs with the able bodied members instead of using the side door, as before.

And there is a new toilet block, and fully fitted kitchen. The Rev Short said: "It used to be like a big cold barn. Now it's been transformed from being a pretty church into a beautiful building. The giving of people in the past has truly opened the door to a church for the new Millennium.

"The vast majority of the congregation think it's wonderful. We are together rather than being spaced out and it gives a very different feeling to worship. It now has a nice, warm community feel about it, and it seems to have affected the congregation spiritually. There's a much more positive attitude."

Rev Short went on to pay tribute to the building contractors, DLC from Manchester: "No services were lost and they were very sensitive to the religious nature of the building. A lady French polisher from Prestatyn, employed to match new wood to old, along with the building contractors, far exceeded the duties for which they were engaged, in their dedication and commitment to the task."

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