A CREATIVE design to transform a 15th century church in West Devon is in the pipeline. St Peter's Church in Lewtrenchard was well-known for its Victorian squarson, the Rev Sabine Baring Gould, who famously wrote the hymn, 'Onward Christian Soldiers'. Now, local residents and friends of the church believe it is time the building was modernised. The church building itself will not be affected by the changes but the Rectory along with storage space, located at the back of St Peter's, will be transformed into a luxury extension for everyone to enjoy. The proposed plan is to build an extension onto the Grade 1 Listed church to provide a meeting room, kitchen and disabled wc, together with a small car park and disabled access. This will enable the church volunteers to provide refreshments and toilet facilities. At the launch of the project last Friday, churchwarden Anne Westlake said the extension would support not only the services but also links with the local school and the wide range of visitors who wish to explore the Baring Gould heritage of the area, including the adjacent forgotten garden — currently being restored to its former glory. She said: 'The important thing about this extension is that we will have the facilities for people to stay after church services for a chat and a tea or coffee and get to know people. 'We are hoping the car park will be finished by Christmas, along with the work behind the church with removing the soil; then there will be two and a half years, roughly, to do the building. 'We have been planning this for ages and it will go ahead — you have to remain positive.' Tim Stapleton, project organiser of the extension, said the project had been under discussion for more than five years: 'We are proposing to build a meeting room where 20 people can sit down at a time, a vestry, a small kitchen for light refreshments, and a disabled car park which will also provide disabled access to the church. 'This will enhance the use of the church as a building and not just as a building for worship. 'The community around will also benefit, from the school to local groups, and also visitors who are interested in the Baring Gould Heritage, which now includes the forgotten garden — for that to prosper our car park would make visitor groups have a more enjoyable experience. 'The cost is estimated at around £130,000. We don't see that this is unachievable but we know it will take a few years to raise the funds, ,but today is the beginning.' Father Andrew Pagett, the Rector of Lifton, Lewtrenchard, Stowford, Broadwoodwidger, Kelly and Thrushelton, said he hoped the new extension would bring more people to the church and make the building more sociable. He said: 'It will be helpful to have toilets, it will be better for visitors, and will also enable us to hold a few meetings.'