Kempston East Methodist Church

Kempston East Methodist Church runs numerous activities including cinema nights and concerts. Good lighting for these activities and for worship is vital.

Amount awarded: £2,800 

Kempston East Methodist Church, built in 1904, describes itself as a church where everyone is welcome. The church reaches out to the community in Bedford through numerous activities including cinema nights and concerts. Good lighting for these activities and for worship is vital. The church faced high costs and maintenance time servicing old tungsten filament lamps which were becoming increasingly difficult to find and needed to be replaced with energy-efficient lighting to adhere to EU regulations. The fundraising effort to upgrade the lighting system was led by property chairman Michael Stephenson and property committee member Jane Mayhew, who raised the £27,000 to cover the lighting project costs. The church received a grant of £2,800 through the Methodist Grants programme.

Explaining the impact of the project, which was completed in March this year, Jane says: “Since installing the new LED lighting, our running costs have come down by 80% and there is little or no maintenance needed. The lights should last about 14 years or over 50,000 hours.” The project was carried out by specialist contractors experienced in church and cathedral lighting. “The lighting units are smaller and less obtrusive and fit well with the fabric of our building. They really create the right kind of ambience for our concerts and for worship,” Jane adds.
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