A CONGREGATION is preparing to temporarily move out of its historic home as the building undergoes a �750,000 renovation.

Work will soon start to refurbish Woodbridge Quay Church - including an extension, a larger kitchen and more toilets.

The plans have been seven years in the making and the hope is to create more rooms for use by the Sunday school and other community groups.

It means that as of September 30, Sunday morning services will be held at the Riverside Theatre - just a stone’s throw away from the church door.

Reverend Mark Hardingham said he was delighted the work would soon be going ahead at his Grade II listed church.

“It’s a little bit daunting because it takes a tremendous amount of organisation but at the same time it’s very exciting,” he said. “I’ve now been here seven years and one of the first things that was mentioned to me was the need for these improvements - so its been part of my journey.

“We’ve been in discussions with various organisations and ensured the heritage of the building remains paramount. However at the same time it will now be something for the 21st century.”

Mr Hardingham said the renovations were the culmination of a lot of hard work and fundraising and thanked everyone for their efforts.

He also paid tribute to bosses at the Riverside Theatre for their support.

“The theatre has been very generous,” he said. “We are only 100 yards from the doorstep of the church so we are still a visible presence in the heart of Woodbridge.”

The church has a congregation of between 100 and 150 and the renovations are expected to take between six and nine months to complete.

Once finished there will be a special reopening service to welcome the congregation back.

For more details about Woodbridge Quay Church visit www.WoodbridgeChurch.org.uk.