THE old social club in Chesterton has been bought by Cirencester Baptists for £500,000 and has been approved by Cotswold District Council to be converted into the group’s new church.

The current congregation has outgrown the small church on Coxwell Street and services have been held at Deer Park School while the search for a new building went on.

After receiving planning permission to change the old social club into a place of worship on September 10 and winning the auction for the building on September 11 the plans for a new church are set to go ahead.

Senior pastor Matt Frost said: “There’s much more work to be done but the congregation is very excited and looking forward to having a new building which will be even more useful for the community.”

The group have been fundraising since June of this year and still need plenty more money to go towards the refurbishment of the church, which will include a brand new 500 seat auditorium for use in services and by community groups.

Work is not expected to begin on the refurbishment until after Christmas and it is likely to be at least 18 months before the new church is officially opened.