WHILE some churches are facing dwindling congregations, one place of worship in Oxford has built a new gallery to cater for the growing demand.

About 180 worshippers will be able to use the new £1.5m U-shaped gallery at St Ebbe's Church, which was created because the existing space for 350 was too small.

The evangelical Anglican church in Roger Bacon Lane welcomes a mixed congregation of students, young professionals, families and older people and the congregation has been growing steadily over the past 10 years.

A two-storey extension has provided a staircase to access the new gallery.

At a service on December 6, to officially open the new gallery, the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft, said: "St Ebbe’s is a thriving church and is well placed in the newly regenerated centre of Oxford.

"It’s wonderful to see the new gallery open so more and more people can comfortably join the congregation."

Rector of St Ebbe’s, Canon Vaughan Roberts, added: "All of this is thanks to God and the many generous donors.

"We are thrilled that, along with giving us many extra seats, the new balcony really enhances the building – it is a beautiful place to be."

Christians have been meeting on the same site since the eighth century and there was major rebuilding between 1814 and 1816, with the church enlarged again between 1862 and 1868.

Over the past few decades many churches have seen attendances drop – statistics reveal a decline in churchgoing across the population from 11.8 per cent to five per cent between 1980 and 2015.

But during that same time St Ebbe’s Church, as well as other Oxford churches St Aldate's and St Andrew's, have seen significant growth, which has resulted in new buildings and renovations.

The rector added: "There is still a real hunger for the life changing message of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world.

"It is not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting by our society – so often it has just never been tried.

"We warmly invite everyone to our carol services this Christmas and our activities throughout the year."

Church manager Andy Menary said earlier that there was a gallery in the 18th century which was then removed.

He added that world-renowned architect Quinlan Terry, who designed the gallery, was asked to complete the project as he was a friend of the church.

For more information on forthcoming events and services visit stebbes.org