Express & Star

Champions Church in Netherton appeal for funds towards £2m expansion plan

A church is fundraising for an ambitious £2 million expansion plan, which will see the creation of a pre-school, auditorium, coffee shop and offices.

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Champions Church in Netherton is entering the next phase of its multi-million pound development goal.

It follows the opening nearly seven years ago of its £3 million complex, covering 20,000 sq ft and capable of seating up to 900 people.

Last year it received planning permission for phases two and three, which will enable it to add to the Cinder Bank site a purpose-built pre-school, a children and youth auditorium, coffee shop, extended lobby area, offices, bookshop, conference rooms, terrace and more car parking. Senior pastor for 27 years, Mark Burchell, said: "This is very much a place for the whole community, from the homeless people we help to the businesses we work with to provide services. It's what we like to call a home for everybody."

Among the community services the church provides is a weekly soup kitchen every Tuesday at the chapel, and a store that sells clothing and other items as well as providing an ironing service.

It is hoped that with these additional facilities the church will be able to build even further on its community support.

A key part of the latest stage of the project is the range of new facilities for youngsters, including the pre-school. He said: "It is purpose-built with six classrooms, and there will be a children and youth auditorium. It will have space for 250 youngsters."

Already a staggering amount has been raised for the ongoing project thanks to the congregation of Champions Church, but they needed a further £500,000 to begin this next phase.

If this money is secured, they could begin building the extension as early as next March.

As the fundraising efforts continue, Champions Church is also looking forward to its annual Christmas Night of Carols event this Friday, complete with festive shopping and reindeer.

It starts at 7pm, with tickets costing £5 and available from

To donate, go to https://www.champions.churchapp.co.uk/donate

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