THE historic Newport Minster will re-open to the public on May 1, after a £2.6m refurbishment project is completed.

The major refurbishment has involved a complete reshaping of the inside of the building, with an underfloor heating system installed, as well as better toilets, a new kitchen, new seating, and new meeting rooms. The idea is that the building becomes a magnet for community groups, as well as a spiritual hub for the island.

Worshippers will welcome up to 400 guests on May 1 for a re-opening service led by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, which will be attended by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, the royal patron of the Friends of Newport Minster. It will be the first time the Minster has been properly open to the public since it closed for refurbishment last autumn.

And the first community group to use the brand new facilities will be a toddler group that has been faithfully meeting in the nearby parish centre since the refurbishment began. The Play Café, with Pitter Patter, has welcomed 65 families since it was launched at the start of 2024. They’ll start meeting in the Minster itself from May 7.

The final phase of the project to transform Newport Minster began last September when the building was closed to allow refurbishment to take place. Local companies have installed a new tiled floor, created a new fully-fitted kitchen and meeting rooms near the entrance, and installed display boards to inform its 30,000 visitors each year about its history and activities.

The main worship area includes 300 chairs that can be moved to provide a flexible space for community activities. It means the building can serve as a centre for learning and wellbeing activities, which will be open to groups from across the Isle of Wight. It will also include proper café facilities to serve visitors and guests.

While the refurbishment has been taking place, worshippers have met for regular services in the nearby parish hall. They’ll return to Newport Minster for the re-opening service, which takes place at 5.30pm on Wednesday 1st May.

The service will feature a sermon by the Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, the Ven Steve Daughtery, and worship led by students from Christ the King College, the joint C of E and Catholic secondary school in Newport. Readings will be given by community leaders. Representatives of local schools, community and civic groups have been invited, as well as the local builders and craftspeople who have worked on the building over the past seven months.