A CHURCH is seeing the light again – thanks to a local artist and a group of youngsters.

The main east windows of St Mary’s Church at Masham have been removed for renovations – and the boarded up spaces made that end of the church look dark and gloomy.

So Masham Youth Group came to the rescue and, under the supervision of local artist and volunteer youth worker Gemma Lodge, created a temporary design to fill the space which has now been installed by local painter and decorator, John Scarth.

St Mary’s curate and acting leader of the youth group, the Reverend Nick Morgan, said: “We’ve brightened that end of the church up, sent an uplifting message to the congregation and visitors alike, and also now have a very visible reminder of the importance of young people in our community and their contribution to local life and the life of our church.”

The design combines the “Walk in the Light” message with self-portraits of many members of the youth group as well as Christian symbols.

Gemma Lodge, a former member of the youth group herself, relished the opportunity to create a unique piece of public art.

“It was an unusual and rather unexpected commission but I’m pleased with the result,” she said.

“I grew up in this church, so it’s quite special to have created something which will be here for a few months while we wait for the stained glass to be repaired. The design is nothing like the actual stained glass windows, but it really seems to work in the space.”