Before and after the 200th anniversary service, I took a few photos of the interior of St Paul's Shipley. It has retained many of its original features: the wooden pews, the gallery around the sides that provided extra seating, the pedestal pulpit (designed to allow all the congregation to be able to see the preacher), the choir stalls and the elevated organ loft.
What made it special 200 years ago isn't necessarily what now works for modern congregational worship - but no-one here, it seems, has dared to grasp the 'major re-ordering' nettle! Many years of stretched funds also means there is considerable interior damage from damp that will at some point have to be sorted out. Our churches, contrary to many people's understanding, are entirely funded by their congregations, along with any legacies and grants they are able to access. There is no ongoing funding from central government, even for our most historic and significant cathedrals. So it's a constant headache as to how to maintain them.
Nevertheless, there are usually signs of the care and affection that our congregations have for our places of worship, not least in the beautiful flower arrangements and colourful banners.
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