C3 Church Bathurst officially opened their new parish in Howick Street on Saturday, providing a new place of worship for some 230 parishioners.
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The church moved into its current premises [the former St John Ambulance building] earlier this year but due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, delayed an official launch event until restrictions allowed for a mass of people to attend church again.
Lead pastor Jeff Lloyd, who runs the church with his wife Rowena, said the new venue has enabled them to expand their inclusive approach to religion.
"It's taken 14 years of hard work, but we're glad to finally have a centralised location within the Bathurst CBD," Mr Lloyd said.
"C3 Church is all about bringing life to people through a meaningful and powerful connection with God, and we attract a diverse array of parishioners each Sunday."
The church has adapted to the challenge of COVID-19 through the introduction of a COVID-safe plan, a limit of 60 people per service and live streams of each service via Facebook and Youtube.
Mr Lloyd said the church's interior renovations were funded by donations from C3 Bathurst parishioners over the past seven years.
"We may not have millionaire investors or the legacy of property, but our people have quietly and systematically given to build an expanded footprint in our city," he said.
"The church services are contemporary in feel with great music, life-related messages and excellent coffee."
"We did this because we're excited about the simple, live-giving message of Jesus, and want to share this with others."
The interior also includes offices and meeting spaces for gatherings, as well as kitchen and foyer facilities.
C3 Church Bathurst also supports a number of community organisations throughout the region, such as Lifeline Central West, whom they donated $8000 at Saturday's launch.
The church is part of the C3 Movement, an Australian-grown charismatic Christianity movement that has grown to 600 locations worldwide.
For more information, visit c3churchbathurst.org.
