St Mary’s Community Church in Dundee reopened its doors on Saturday after a year-long refurbishment.
The congregation have been encamped in the community facility next door since last May while waiting for the £400,000 refurbishment.
Extensive building work began on May 23 to create two new small rooms, a second kitchen, office space and disabled facilities. A new glassed entrance was also added between the south and east elevations.
While the congregation were excited to hold the first service in the revamped church, secretary Ruth Toller said the building is not just for them but for the whole community.
She said: ”If it had just been for the church we wouldn’t have needed to do it, but we want it to be for the whole community so we have been careful not to overlap with the facility.”
The church invited the people of St Mary’s to an open day on Saturday.
Mrs Toller said: ”People were welcome to come in and have a look around and have a cup of tea. People have been so encouraging we thought we would let them have a look inside.”
On Sunday morning, general director of the Baptist Union of Scotland Alan Donaldson took to the pulpit to preach the inaugural sermon in the new building.
The congregation are now looking forward to finishing off work on the second kitchen so they can reopen the community cafe.
The church car park has also been extended and a disabled access has been created.
Since the church has been closed for refurbishments many of the youth groups and Bible studies have had to meet in people’s houses.
Mrs Toller added: ”It will be really nice to be back in the church. Although it’s been great to be in the community facility, it’s not home. People are welcome to come and visit and participate. It’s not just for the church.”