Church set to start work on £1.2m vision

Work is expected to start on the development in Wash Road in the coming weeks.

The build is the vision of the New Life Community Church, which has been based at the site in question – just off the A16 – since 2008, operating from a structure it built as phase one to its plans there.

Senior pastor Neal Mugglestone said: “Our intention was always to build a bigger community facility, right on the edge of the A16,” he said.

This follow-up build will provide the church with a larger home (it is at capacity in the current structure) and a range of facilities for the community – and not just residents, but also businesses.

Mr Mugglestone said a facility of such broad appeal would echo the historic role played by a church of being ‘the centre of the community’.

“In some ways we are trying to get back to that,” he said, while adding it would also help meet the running costs of the building.

It is expected that the foundations will be in place and above the ground this year, while fundraising continues.

The building is planned to have: a 300-seat auditorium for the church services, but also for the community to hire; a café; a dedicated area for Kirton Library, which currently operates (on a smaller scale) from the church’s existing building, rentable shop space; and other rooms to rent.

The church has so far raised about £96,000 for the project.

It will now be looking to grant-making bodies and businesses to help find the remainder needed, and also considering the possibility of a mortgage.

It is hoped the new building will be ready to open in the next couple of years.