"Christ is our cornerstone": church lays foundation

Reverend Jonathan Frais, Rector of St Mark's, laid the large sandstone cornerpiece to the right of the future front entrance.

The stone was cut by hand by David Boorman, a member of the congregation. It was sourced from a quarry in West Hoathly, requiring a forklift truck to move it.

In a tribute to the craftsman, Sheena Ashby, church warden, said: "He brought it home and worked on it in his workshop and in the garden, patiently and painstakingly for many hours."

Mr Boorman was also responsible for the lettering on the stone, reading: "Christ is our cornerstone".

The 600,000 development enlarges the existing Church Hall on the Little Common Road by adding a new level and expanding the ground floor. The project is funded by existing church funds and a generous legacy from a former verger.

Revd Frais said: "We have nicknamed it Raise the Roof because we've taken the old roof off and are raising it to a two-floor construction."

Work began in April and is due to finish in October.

Richard Sprange, architectural consultant for the Hall, said: "The enthusiasm for this is immense locally. It's going to be of great benefit to the local community when finished."