A £2M scheme to open up two 400-year-old church barns to the Abingdon community is being launched.

Christ Church, in Northcourt Road, plans to convert the barns next year when the it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The converted buildings will include a coffee shop and other community facilities, and are expected to open by 2012.

Phil Henderson, 55, from Radley, who is on the church’s project committee, said: “From buying the land 10 years ago, right the way through to having the barns converted and up and running, this is a £2m project.

“A large proportion of the money has come from donations to the church and we have also received support from the diocese.

“We have had planning permission for the project for a number of years and the barns are listed buildings because they are about 400 years old, so we have consulted planners very carefully.

“We have a lovely site here in Northcourt Road and we realise it is an asset we can share with the community, so that we are providing something the community needs and can benefit from.

“We have been out on the streets to conduct a brief survey to see what kind of thing people are looking for and young people at college, mums with babies, and pensioners all say they would enjoy stopping off at a coffee shop.

“We have travelled to a number of other cities where they run something similar and want to make sure that we provide a good-quality place which is properly staffed.

“We will have to cover the cost of employing someone to run the coffee shop and we will aim to break even, but we won’t run it with a profit motive – we want it to be a gift to the community.”

Vicar Tim Davis added: “I see these barns as a place of provision for many groups and many needs.

“At Christ Church, we want to invest in and support our community.

“That is why we are renovating this ancient space to create something new.”

Mr Henderson added: “I think this is really worth doing and it will bring people together – you just need people with motivation who are prepared to make it happen.”

Chris Dowling, manager of Budgens grocery store, opposite Christ Church, said: “We are definitely supporting Christ Church with their plans because this is something the community needs.

“It would be nice to have a coffee shop as a community hub, which could be used by people who come into our shop to buy food and use the post office.”