A church congregation finally has a new £1 million building after more than a decade of fundraising.
Father Michael Teader, parish priest at St Felix Catholic Church in Haverhill, said the new church building, which opened earlier this month, was a “dream come true”.
The old church was finally demolished upon the completion of the new building on the same site in Queensway.
The move is the second for the 300-strong Catholic community after outgrowing another building more than 45 years ago.
Father Teader, who has been parish priest for 10 years, said: “This is a dream come true for so many of us. Ten years ago it seemed like an impossible challenge but, with eternal optimism, we set our sights on designing a building that would honour God and meet the needs of our growing parish, the environment and the community."
“So many people have been involved in turning our dream into a reality. We are grateful to our resourceful parishioners, both past and present, the local people and the wider Catholic community, charitable trusts, companies, religious orders and St Edmundsbury Borough Council and their officers in planning and design for their guidance.”
He praised the efforts of everyone involved including project managers, the New Church Project Committee, led by Dr Paul Stephenson, and the financial support of the Diocese of East Anglia, which has underwritten the church’s £150,000 debt as it continues fundraising.
Landscaping will be completed by the end of the month.
There will be 39 parking spaces as well as two disabled spaces.
:: Anyone wishing to make a donation to the building fund, or take part in the Buy a Brick for £5 campaign, can send a cheque payable to St Felix New Church Building Fund
for the attention of
Father Michael Teader,
3 Wentworth Terrace,
Haverhill, CB9 9BP.