RADCLIFFE United Reformed Church could begin the next millennium with a £300,000 church of the future.

Plans have been submitted to Bury Council for a new 230-seat church in Abden Street.

"We want a modern church building for the new millennium," said Mr Terry Cockcroft, chairman of the church committee.

"The congregation themselves decided on the design of the building."

The existing church building - which will not be demolished - was completed in December 1980 at a cost of £80,000. It replaced the original building which had stood for 100 years but which was riddled with dry rot.

Besides serving as a centre for worship the building is used for fund-raising fairs and performances by the Radcliffe United Reformed Church Players. Extra income is generated by letting it to keep-fit and diet groups.

At the moment the church can cater for 200 worshippers, but the new building, if approved, will accommodate an extra 30 and be much less cramped.

In addition, a 31-space car park will be created on the site of old school buildings which will be demolished.

Mr Cockcroft said: "The old town hall has been cleaned up and so has the cenotaph. The council is carrying out landscaping work, so it's only right that we should have a beautiful new church to complete the look of the place."

Although the new building will have a modern design, it will incorporate a reminder of its history.

"We have a stained-glass window from the original church which will be placed on an internal wall in the new building," said Mr Cockcroft.

Worship will take place in the new church. Community events and meetings may be held in both new and old buildings.

The congregation will bear the cost of the development and has raised £104,000 in the last three years.

The aim is to raise a further £150,000 by September of next year and get a loan of £100,000.

The remaining £50,000 will come from donations, grants, and interest-free loans from the congregation.

"We are hoping that the church will be opened in 2001.

"It's a challenge, but I'm amazed we have done so well already," said Mr Cockcroft.

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