AROUND 150 people gathered at 6am yesterday morning to officially dedicate the new home of Huddersfield Christian Fellowship Church.
Part of the former Brook Crompton site, at St Thomas's Road, has been bought by the church and yesterday members gathered to watch their pastor, the Rev Colin Cooper, cut a ribbon and open the gates of the vast site. Building work could start in autumn.
Andrew Kisumba, creative co-ordinator at the church, said: "It's the start of an exciting journey for us.
"This new building will be a place where people can come and experience what it means to be a Christian and have their lives restored.
"We hope it will be a positive place in the community."
The planned move from Harvest House, at St John's Road, and the Fellowship Centre, at Northumberland Street, has been prompted by the rapid growth of the congregation.
But members will not be moving out of these premises immediately.
Mr Kisumba said: "The church started around 20 years ago in a member's house. We then moved to the YMCA, the Fellowship Centre and then Harvest House. We now have around 600 people attending our Sunday service."
A final figure has not yet been set on the total cost of the new site, but Mr Kisumba said it would be millions of pounds.
"We have had some fundraising events already and an auction will be held at Harvest House, on Saturday June 19 at 11am."
The new site will comprise a main auditorium capable of seating 1,500 people, a bookshop and coffee shop, a teaching block and youth rooms.
