The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church’s proposal for a $171,000 place of worship has been lodged for 83 Wentworth Drive, Kelso.

The Bathurst East Gospel Trust last month lodged an application with Bathurst Regional Council to construct a 173.77 square-metre single-storey meeting hall and 20-space car park.

At a time when congregations are diminishing at some other churches, Bathurst East Gospel Trust member Gavin Alderton said the number of Brethren was increasing.

In March this year, Anglican Diocese of Bathurst Bishop Palmer said one of the reasons that the burnt-out St Barnabas’ church would not be rebuilt was due to a lack of parishioners.

“It is no secret that congregations have diminished,” Bishop Palmer said.

Mr Alderton said the Brethrens already have four meeting halls across Bathurst (Lavelle and Esrom streets, Joubert Drive and Evernden Road) however, the Esrom Street property will be sold off and replaced by the Wentworth Drive one.

“We are growing, but we’re not big,” he said.

“One thing we find is our youth. They are the potential and we’re happy that the youth are staying around and being involved.”

Mr Alderton said while the Church has had some opposition in other communities in the past, the Bathurst community should not be fearful of the unknown.

“When we’ve been there for some time, we find that opposition has dissipated and people are friendly and happy,” he said.

“It is a fundamentally Christian religion and based completely on the teachings of scripture.”

The DA shows that one building will be constructed on the site, the car parks will be located at the rear of the property and there will be extensive landscaping.

“If you drive past you won’t notice it [the meeting hall]. It’ll look like any other house,” Mr Alderton said.

Brethren members have been living and working in Bathurst for more than 47 years, and he said many “run successful businesses providing significant employment opportunities for the wider community”.

If approved, the facility could hold up to 99 people, however, it will be open just two or three times a week for meetings, with up to 40 people expected to attend each one.

Mr Alderton said existing meeting halls across Bathurst already enjoy good relations with neighbours.