Melton's Catholic priest who used to be a builder gives his blessing to new hall
Melton Mowbray’s Catholic parish priest took a very keen interest in the construction of the new community hall adjacent to his Thorpe End church because he used to be a builder.
Father John St John blessed the building on Saturday as Mayor of Melton, Councillor Siggy Atherton, officially opened it in a ceremony in front of church members and residents.
The hall will be used for church activities by the town’s Catholics and will also serve as a hub for community activities and meetings for local groups.
A new access has been created from St John The Baptist Church into the hall and visitors can also enter from the front of the new building via steps or a wheelchair-friendly route.
At the opening event, Father John, who has been the parish priest for only six months, told the Melton Times: “It’s a very nice building.
"I used to be a builder so I was interested in seeing it being built - I think they’ve done a good job.
"It means we can put on more events as a church and if the church is full we have space for more people.”
Simon Pipkin, the project manager for RJH Building Construction, commented: “When i first met Father John he told me he used to be a builder.
"He’s been very enthusiastic and supportive during the build.”
Building work on the hall began in February 2025 and the builders have been working to a plan which ensures it fits in perfectly with the Grade Two listed church to respect the historic character of the building.
Simon added: “We wanted to make sure the hall matches the church next to it and there were a lot of technicalities and logistical challenges.
"We are very proud to see the final building as we are with all of our projects.”
The roof is very impressive with builders installing bespoke cast stone features, including intricately detailed stone lintels and a featured cross at the apex, echoing the craftsmanship of the church’s Victorian heritage.
Sustainability has been a major focus throughout - the roof is fitted with solar panels.
The exterior stonework and lime mortars have all been carefully matched to existing finishes, to blend seamlessly with the neighbouring historic structure.
The church was built between 1839 and 1842 and it did originally feature a hall on the same site as the new one but that was demolished in the 1980s, making way for car parking spaces.
A multitude of fundraising activities have been organised by the Friends of St John’s Church Melton Mowbray over the last five years.
One of the members, Frances Levett, commented: “It’s been really hard to raise the money and so many people have come together to enable us to have this lovely hall.”
The Mayor is very impressed with the building – she told the Melton Times: “It’s fantastic and it is something that is definitely needed in the town.
"It is so blended in with the church you would never know that it is a new build."
There are already lots of community bookings for the new hall, starting next weekend with a craft fair and singalong with Thomas Corden as part of the 1940s Melton Mowbray Weekend.