AN EXPANDING congregation at a Caldicot church came together on Saturday to mark the completion of a new extension.

The extension at Bethany Baptist Church in Neddern Way will act as a welcoming area for church services and will provide more space for community groups.

The £85,000 project has been completed after a four-year fund-raising campaign by members of the church.

But at the service on Saturday evening, Bethany’s minister, Rev John Hall, said it was not a celebration of a building.

He said: “It is a celebration of people, of the church as a body.

“It’s been hard work but as Christians we give thanks to God.”

A ribbon was cut by the chair of Monmouthshire County Council and Caldicot councillor Jim Higginson with the Mayor of Caldicot Cllr Dave Evans.

The church was originally built in the mid-1980s as people had to travel four miles to Magor for the nearest Baptist church.

It was extended in the early 2000s to accommodate the growing congregation and the latest extension is just the first phase of planned building work.

Rev Ron Keen, who was part of the planning committee behind the scheme, said: “We have plans to extend again so we are a multi-purpose church.

“Every day there is a group meeting here – lots of children’s work, Bible study as well as U3A and social and caring groups. It is well used but we want it to be even more used.”

Committee member Linda Millinship said she was convinced that a dip in fund-raising was overcome thanks to “divine intervention”.

She said: “When we came to do the extension we had a shortfall of approximately £24,000 but we decided in faith, to start our extension.

“Suddenly the money started pouring in. I’m convinced this was through God’s divine intervention.”

She thanked the congregation and other supporters and the “long-suffering” neighbours who had been invited to the opening.