SOUTHEND’S historic St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell is benefitting from a “once-in-a-lifetime” renovation to encourage and inspire more live performances.

The Rev Paul MacKay, the vicar at Grade I listed St Mary’s, Southend’s civic church, has spoken of his delight as the major overhaul, some of which cost £350,000, was finally completed after two years.

The front of the church has seen six pews removed to create more space for performances as well as wheelchair access and the two main halls have been transformed into community spaces.

Echo: Renovated - view of south rank nave pewsRenovated - view of south rank nave pews (Image: Rev Paul Mackay)

Much of the package of work has been funded by legacies.

The project, which saw the two hall renovations alone cost more than £350,000 to complete, had many twists and turns along the way.

Delays included when an archaeological team discovering ancient treasures beneath the church.

Among the finds in the 1,000-year-old church were fossils in the rubble, re-used Roman tiles, remains of Saxon burials, Victorian pennies that had been dropped under pews and a model Z Car from the 1970s TV series.

Echo: Before - the church floor when it was being dug upBefore - the church floor when it was being dug up (Image: Paul Mackay)

The Rev Mackay said: “We have in the last two years completely redeveloped our church halls into a new centre and also in this last year undertaken some reordering of the church, removing only six pews but creating a new space which we can use for performances within the church.

“For the church, as a Grade I listed building, the work was a sort of once in a lifetime project.”

Echo: Finished - St Marys Centre West Hall Finished - St Marys Centre West Hall (Image: Rev Paul Mackay)

The project includes the rejuvenation of the east hall, which now has a soft play and sensory area, and groups such as the cake club are set to run their weekly meetings there.

The west hall, which was a men’s club in 1908, is now a fully refurbished community hall and a host of uniformed groups are making the most of the new space.

Echo: What a difference - Rev Paul Mackay inside the churchWhat a difference - Rev Paul Mackay inside the church (Image: Provided)

Tonight (Thursday November 2) there will be the production of “Forever Mine”. Tickets will be available on the door.

It starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £10 plus, plus booking fee. See www.eventbrite.com/e/foreverminesouthend-on-sea-tickets67748525563 for details.

There is set to be a service and grand opening of the new church centre on the November 22.