First glimpse of new £3m church
With its amphitheatre-style layout and tiered seating this impressive building could be mistaken for a concert hall – but it is in fact Netherton's £3 million Champions Church.
The Express & Star was given an exclusive tour of the ambitious development, still under construction in Cinder Bank. It has been five months since building work began and this first glimpse shows that the main structure of the church is nearly complete.
Around 70 tons of steel has been shipped in over the last few weeks to help create the framework of the building.
And the 850-seater auditorium which will be used for services is on schedule.
Brickwork will be rendered over the coming weeks before work begins on road access to the church.
Worship Pastor Adam Nash said construction firm McPhillips was hopeful most building work would be completed by Christmas.
"Its amazing to see it now and how its developed from the plans on paper," he said.
Parishioners have been able to keep up-to-date with the latest progress through the church's internet site.
Regular blogs, pictures and videos have been posted on www.championschurch.org.uk as the project has developed throughout the year.
"We have been taking regular photographs of the work and writing a blog to keep people informed," added the pastor.
"Around once a month a new video detailing the latest stage of the building work has been put up.
"Champions Church is a community church and it was very much in our thinking to keep everyone involved.
"Naturally it would be hard to take people around the site, but through the blogs people have kept informed."
The construction of the new church is due to coincide with the upcoming 200th anniversary of the original 1810 Baptist Church which has been the base for Champions Church for decades.
The building will have a restaurant, coffee bar, bookshop and a film editing suite.
There will also be meeting rooms, choir space, lounge, stores, disabled facilities and baby changing room.
