Sir – The piece in last week’s edition (Opposition to C.S. Lewis church plan), reflects a vigorous discussion on plans for the church building which have been in the pipeline for considerably longer than a year.

The vicar, Tim Stead, does not exaggerate when he describes the church as “bursting”; thanks to him and his clergy and to his two predecessors, the church has enriched its ministry in many ways, not least in its outreach to young people of all ages.

While the centrality of the Eucharist will remain constant, the forms of worship will, inevitably change, as they have in this country and in Anglican communities throughout the world.

These new patterns of worship need flexible space, hence the need to replace pews with chairs, the latter being as conducive to worship as the former.

A vigorous church needs a nearby space for other meetings and services, hence the need for the proposed extension. To call it an architectural disaster is a personal opinion, shared by a few.

Every consideration must be given to the feelings of those with personal links to the graves concerned, but there have been countless circumstances of graves being moved reverently and with dignity. As an ancient church-going parishioner, I feel we ought to give thought to the needs of our successors in years to come.

In 50 years’ time, they will, I think, rightly criticise us for not grasping this opportunity for developing the church’s mission. I fully support these proposals and hope that Tim and the PCC will feel empowered by the prayers of many of us to take these proposals forward.

Martin Sheldon, Headington Quarry