Archbishop to lead service as God's tiny house marks £30,000 revamp

But the tiny congregation rose to the challenge raising 30,000 for its restoration. Their efforts will be celebrated next Friday when the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu leads an open air thanksgiving service at Dunnington, near Driffield.

Vicar the Rev James Grainger-Smith said: "We're delighted to welcome Archbishop Sentamu to Dunnington, to give thanks for the incredible restoration of this tiny church building – it only has eight pews!

"Ten years ago, St Nicholas was in a bad state of repair, with a small congregation, and the closure of the church was discussed. But although the congregation were small in number, their courage and commitment has been huge.

"I think this shows how important the church is in rural areas – the church is a focus of not only worship to God, but also the hub of the community."

With grants and donations, the congregation has organised repairs to the font and bell turret, had the church rewired and built a new roof, new gutters, new drains, a new porch and windows, and installed new carpets and a new heating system in less than 10 years.

An open invitation has been extended to the service, which begins at 6.30pm.