PARKGATE’S only church has reopened for regular services for the first time in nearly 16 years.

St Thomas’s Church in Mostyn Square, which was threatened with demolition in the 1990s, reopened for worship on Sunday following years of campaigning and fundraising by supporters.

The historic church, built in 1843, has been fully repaired and adapted so it can be used by community groups.

The building been proposed for demolition back in 1994 when it was declared unsafe, a year after celebrating its 150th anniversary.

A campaign was started to restore and reopen the church and it won back from the Parkgate Preservation Trust, the Parkgate Society and the Family and Friends of St Thomas’s.

Crucially, The Bishop’s Trust for St Thomas’s was formed in 2001, under the patronage of the Bishop of Chester, with the object of restoring the building.

A total of £250,000 has been raised to restore it.

The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Peter Forster, said: “This is a marvellous example of renewal for the Christian faith, and an example of what hard work and determination can achieve for the wider community.”

The Vicar of Neston, the Revd Neill Robb, added: “The Bishop’s Trust has done a marvellous job and we are all looking forward to the church being full of the praise of God once more on Sundays, and being used by the community for other activities.”

The chairman of the trustees, Michael Potts, said: “A great deal of goodwill and generosity from Parkgate and wider afield has been shown by religious and non-religious people alike.”