A CHURCH was given a warm welcome to its new home over the weekend and even a coconut shy disaster couldn’t dampen people’s spirits.

Members of Storehouse Christian Fellowship opened their new home at the site of the former Stratton Green Baptist Church on Saturday.

The church has been empty since last year when the decision was made to close the 264 year-old building amid a dwindling congregation.

Storehouse Christian Fellowship stepped in, having been based at a number of venues around the town, and has been holding services there since last month.

On Saturday the congregation held an official opening ceremony.

Church pastor Dick Denyer said the day had been a fitting start to the church’s next chapter, which saw the car park full, while the cake stall sold out, raising £100 for needy Ethiopians.

He said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day. The car park was so full people weren’t able to get in. Someone forgot to bring the balls for the coconut shy, so we had to use fallen apples instead.

“It’s like a cloud has been lifted from the congregation.

They are convinced this is where they want to be.

“We are getting more people coming to join us. It is marvellous.”