An ambitious scheme to revitalise a Furness church is set to get under way in summer 2008.

It would be the most significant reordering of Ulverston Parish Church since 1866.

The work was the culmination of five years of planning and fund-raising by parishioners.

The scheme, known as The Renewal Project, was scheduled to be completed by November.

It was hoped the alterations would provide the parish with a more suitable space within the church for modern-day worship.

The £500,000 scheme would improve the heating and lighting systems as well as installing new facilities in the Church Walk building.

Vicar the Rev Alan Bing said: “We have been talking for years about the need for toilets and creche facilities and for a general modernising and upgrading of the parish church.

“Beautiful building that is, it needs to be adapted to the present and likely future needs of the church and to be more welcoming to the community.”

The Renewal Project would install toilets, a modern sound and projection system, a kitchenette and social area, a creche in the base of the tower and a glazed entrance.

There would also be an extended worship area with multimedia facilities at the eastern end of the church.

In 2011 the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, visited Ulverston Parish Church to help celebrate 900 years of the church’s history.

A Sunday service took place before the bishop donned a helmet and safety harness and abseiled down the church tower.

Parishioners watched before climbing the tower themselves and following in the bishop's footsteps.

Before his abseil the bishop said: "It's all part of the 900th anniversary celebrations; a church has stood on this site since 1111 and this is a great way to celebrate that."

In 1997 an activity club was held at another Furness church, St Paul's at Barrow, which included children releasing balloons.