A ground-breaking, multi-functional three metre wide ‘invisible’ screen has been installed at Christ Church Guildford following a legacy left by a member of the congregation.

The glass screen was launched in February 2014 and can be used for high quality images and videos during services, community use through film nights and 24/7 security with its tracking video camera. It disappears at the push of a button, solving the problem of ‘where to hide’ the screen.

Vicar of Christ Church the Revd Nick Williams added: "We are delighted with the new screen. It will enable us to conduct our services in more imaginative ways, as well as presenting new mission opportunities for opening the church buildings for a wider range of uses.

Creating a sense of Community 

The screen had its first outing during February half term, with children enjoying a viewing of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 on the enormous screen and an older audience watching Les Misérables.

 The church’s events and communications facilitator, Louise Kenyon said: “The central aisle was packed with bean bags and blow-up chairs and the children munched their way through home-made cakes while their parents relaxed in a pop up café held in the south aisle of the church.

"It was wonderful to see so many families in our church, enjoying cake, conversation and great films. We don't normally have deck chairs, beanbags and popcorn in the church, but it works! This is a super way to get people together and we hope that these film nights will be the first of many.

“The new screen is brilliant; it can disappear from view by the press of a button, as it is made of clear glass, so retaining the beauty of the interior of our Victorian Church."