Wesley Uniting Church's new steeple, cross, given tick of approval

An upgrade to the steeple, adorned with a copper cross, was finished on Wednesday as the newest part of the Orange skyline.

Rain and the coronavirus pandemic meant putting the renovation together had taken longer than anticipated, but Reverend Andrew Cunningham said it had coincided well with the church building being shut due to restrictions.

"It'll be quite impressive once the scaffolding comes down ... it's a bright copper colour and will obviously dull a bit but it looks good," Reverend Cunningham said.

The $200,000 project had half its funding tipped in by the NSW Heritage Council, while the other half has come out of the church community.

"It's been in planning for a couple of years but it'll be well worth it, the steeple will last another 150 years so it's incredible value for money," Reverend Cunningham said.

He had the chance to inspect the new cross atop the church before it was put in place, along with the steeple architect James Nicholson and community member Ray Manchester.

This is the first stage of the project, with the church set for internal renovations from October to completely re-do the interior.

Reverend Cunningham said carpet and pews would be re-done and a lick of paint added to the entrance.

The technology in the church is also due for an makeover, with lighting and audiovisual upgrades to come into play, which will help in the wait for a coronavirus vaccine.

"We've been very cautious," Reverend Cunningham said.

"We've got people from all ages who attend but plenty of people in the more vulnerable category so we haven't resumed in-person service yet, we're still online.

"The building is closed but the church is open."

The internal upgrades are planned for October.

"It'll look totally different on the inside once it's all done," Reverend Cunningham said.