The Rt Rev Lindsay Urwin used a trowel to tap into place the commemorative stone, on which is engraved: "Dedicated to God's glory by the Bishop of Horsham", with Friday's date (April 25, 2008).

And he called on members of the congregation attending the occasion to build up the fellowship of the church, as well as the new walls, by welcoming newcomers and growing in their own faith.

Quoting from Psalm 127, "Except the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain," the bishop paid tribute to the work of the architect and builders as they continued the £940,000 scheme, which started in February.

St Margaret's rector, the Rev Mark Standen, led the prayers and churchwardens June Hawke and Richard Hance also took part in the brief service.

Mr Hance told the Gazette: "This was a significant occasion in the life of St Margaret's."

All the money has already been raised from donations or pledges by St Margaret's members, and from trusts.

The project includes a two-storey extension providing a new office and meeting room, with a new entrance and welcome area created in the Gratwicke Chapel at the east end of the church, closest to Arundel Road.

Inside the church the pews will be removed, to be replaced with chairs in a semi-circular formation, raising the seating capacity from around 200 to 265, and a new baptism pool will be installed, along with improved underfloor heating and radiators.

The changes will make the church more flexible and it's hoped that it will be in use seven days a week both by the congregation and the community.

Back home for Christmas

Services are continuing at St Margaret's while the work progresses, until Sunday, May 25, after which they will be held at St Margaret's Primary and in the church hall. Although contractors Farnrise are slightly behind schedule, the time is expected to be made up, with the congregation returning to the new-look building by Christmas.

The redevelopment was also delayed by a consistory court hearing a year ago, after conservation groups lodged objections against the scheme.

The chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester, Mark Hill, who conducted the one-day hearing, gave permission for the proposals, but with amendments including a reduction in the glazed areas in the new extensions at the east end.

Several skeletons believed to be from the 19th century were found by the builders digging the foundations for the extensions, and other interesting finds have included a mediaeval wall, next to what looks like a Victorian arch, and a 1790s gravestone inscribed with the names Ann and James Penfold. The latter discoveries have been photographed and recorded, but will not be disturbed.

Choir stalls, the pulpit and a wooden screen have been removed, to be installed at a church in Chapel en le Frith, Derbyshire, while an ironwork screen has gone to a church in Abertillery, south Wales.

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