FORMER minister Stan Hensman always dreamed of having his own church.

So he decided to build one! The nursing home owner and his wife bought a plot of land in Bury and spent £160,000 of their own money on the building.

And next Saturday (June 27) Stan Hensman's dream will be given civic approval when the Mayor of Bury officially opens the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Parkhills Road.

Stan and Josephine Hensman, of Sedgefield Road, Radcliffe, have been Adventists for most of their lives.

"I have been a minister and it was always my dream to buy my own church," said Mr Hensman, owner of Hollybank nursing home in Radcliffe.

"It is not about the money: it is about helping people and the church, and doing everything I can."

Two years ago, while looking at a florist's shop and its surrounding land on Parkhills Road, he saw the potential for his dream.

Planning permission had to be obtained and the church was designed and built from scratch. Staffing was another consideration.

Work began last autumn and took nine months. The church was ready for worship in April.

The florist's shop was converted into the main worship hall, with a social room and a kitchen in the adjacent area. The derelict land at the back was made into a car park.

"Everything ran very smoothly. We just left it up to God," said Mr Hensman, pictured outside the new church.

Mr Barry Stokes was approached by Mr Hensman to become pastor.

"I thought building the church was a fantastic idea, said Pastor Stokes. "It is very unusual for someone to actually invest their own money. It is a remarkable achievement and I think Mr and Mrs Hensman should be very proud."

The congregation meets every Saturday, their day of worship, for a service and a Bible study class. Stress seminars and child evangelism classes are also being planned.

"Everyone has worked really hard and it has paid off," said Pastor Stokes.

To join the church call Pastor Stokes on 766 5402.

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