A FOREST church – which has been expanded to the cost of £300,000 – will hold its last Sunday service this Sunday (December 18) in its current location before its move on Christmas Day.

Senior pastor Tim Cracknell said the project at the Forest of Dean Community Church has been a real community effort.

He said: “We are so thankful to God for his provision and have been overwhelmed by the level of support we have received from so many directions. Our regular attendees have dug deep, friends from other churches have kindly helped and local businesses have generously rallied around in a wonderful way.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone for their incredible generosity, enabling everything to come together so quickly. Christmas will be an extra special time for us as a church as a result, and next year we will be much better equipped to play our part in the community.”

Since it launched in 2006 the church has grown to the extent that it needed more space so it recently purchased a property in Parragate Road, which joins onto its Station Street base in Cinderford, and has now built a large car park and installed temporary buildings. 

For the last seven years Sunday morning services have been held in the Forest High School’s, Spotlight Theatre and this Sunday’s carol service will bring the curtain down on an era for the church before the move back to Station Street on Christmas Day.

Among the local businesses to help the church are KW Bell, Hale and Co and Breedon Aggregates.

The church hosts each week the Cinderford Foodbank, community art classes, FRED reading (adult reading classes), as well as provide two parent and toddler groups.