A Victorian church has moved into the 21st century thanks to a £700,000 revamp.

Trinity Methodist Church in Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, now boasts a huge state-of-the-art community space.

The former church schoolroom building has been demolished and new meeting rooms, kitchen and toilets created in the main church.

Work started last November and was due to be completed in May.

A number of structural problems were unearthed which meant months of delays.

Foundation work, the discovery of a culvert and dumped asbestos caused the problems.

Building work was finally completed last month and the finishing touches are now underway ahead of an open day and thanksgiving service at the end of the month.

The new community rooms have automatic doors, a new lift and an electrically-operated wall which turns one big space into two separate meeting rooms.

There is also a ‘media cafe’ which will be equipped with computers.

Church trustee and steward Christine Sykes, who managed the project, said the task had been huge but rewarding.

“We have had many setbacks but we have come through it,” she said.

“Despite everything this project was obviously meant to be.

“It’s an exciting project which will benefit the community for many years to come.”

Christine said the new facilities were aimed at the whole community and she wanted to welcome people in to see how the church could help.

The whole scheme cost £700,000 with £300,000 provided by the local Methodist church circuit.

Grants and fundraising added a further £300,000 but the church still faces a £100,000 shortfall.

That gap has been plugged by a loan from the North Kirklees and Morley Methodist Circuit but the church is anxious to pay off the debt as quickly as possible.

Groups which met at the church before the renovations are being invited back – Mirfield Choral Society was the first to return – and new groups are being invited in.

A Come and See Day, open to the public, will be held on Saturday September 28 between 10am and 2pm.

The following day a Thanksgiving Service will be held from 3pm.

“People won’t believe it until they see it,” said Christine.

“The church has a traditional Victorian frontage but at the back we have 21st century technology where lights go on automatically when you walk in the room.

“Everything is perfect. You can’t believe it’s the same building.”