Christmas opening for Fareham church's new building after 15-year wait

Hill Park Baptist Church of Fareham moved into the small, vacant unit in Gudge Heath Lane in 2001. Now, the building has been demolished with a new wider and ‘more comfortable’ church being built on its site. Brian Rogers, 70, pastor of the church, says the new building, which will cost just over £200,000, will be a ‘dream come true’ for the community with the building set to be officially reopened in December. He said: ‘We are so very excited about finally getting our new building. ‘When we moved in 15 years ago, we knew we were going to have to replace the building back then. ‘To see the way we planned it with the architects all those years ago, to knowing it’s going to be up in time for Christmas is fantastic. ‘It’s a dream come true for us.’ The building had been used as a poultry hut before it was a church and has been around since the 1940s. Hill Park’s plans for the building were approved by Fareham Borough Council two years ago. The church worked with Knight Architectural Design, in Sarisbury Green, on the designs that will see the building become split into an opening foyer, main sanctuary, kitchen, toilets and back garden. Despite having planning approval, it only got started on demolishing the existing building early last month after its fundraising for the project finally reached the £200,000 mark. The building has now been fully demolished with contractors set to carry out the rebuilding process shortly. Mr Rogers added: ‘It’s been a long time coming to get to this point. ‘We know that everybody is going to love the new building.’ While the work is carried out, the church is holding its Sunday morning services at The Highlands Hub in Highlands Road.