A HAND-CRAFTED font has added the finishing touches to Prestbury's new £590,000 Methodist Church.
The font has been donated by English Courtyard, which has recently completed a retirement development on Shirleys Drive, Prestbury.
Reverend Ruth Jackson said: "It has been very exciting to move into our new church which we are looking forward to sharing it with the community.
"And we are delighted that English Courtyard has made such a generous donation."
The search for a new site for the church began after the congregation outgrew its previous church on Bollin Grove, which dates back to 1825.
It had become so cramped for Prestbury church-goers that they had started holding services in the village hall.
The octagonal font, built in American white oak and oak veneer, was made by master craftsman Harold Hulme, 66, from Macclesfield building and joinery firm Gorton and Wilson. It was designed by the company's managing director, Peter Walker.
Mr Hulme, who also made all the new furniture for the church before he retired from the firm, attended a special ceremony to hand over the font.
He said: "It was very pleasing to see it in the church and it is good to think that it will be used into the next century and beyond."
Mr Walker, whose firm has also made the pulpit, table and crosses, was delighted to see the final piece in place.
"It is an unusual shape and I think it looks quite classic," he said.
Nicola Beetham from English Courtyard said it was the company's philosophy to give something back to the communities in which they build.
"When we build a new development we like to support the local area. The font seemed a particularly symbolic gift since it symbolises re-birth," she said.
The firm has also rebuilt the boundary wall of the churchyard for St Peter's Church.
