A CONGREGATION is hoping its new church will become a focus for the community as well as for worship.

Leading members of the Baptist Church gathered in Burnley on Saturday to mark the official opening of Rosehill Baptist Church.

It has taken over what was Healey Grange Nursing Home in Rosehill Road and converted it into a place of worship.

But church members are also hoping the building will become a centre for the community, with mums and toddlers and other groups using it as a base.

The Rev Keith Hobbs, general superintendent of the North West Baptist Union, and the Rev Chris Haig, secretary of the Lancashire and Cheshire Association of Baptist Churches, joined the congregation to mark the official opening.

Members have been busy moving from their former church in Hammerton Street over the past six weeks.

Church deacon John Rivers explained: "The building we were in ceased to be of use to us and we needed somewhere more suitable for a church and community use.

"We are looking to get more involved in using the building for community purposes.

"It's something we can do in this situation where it was impossible to do where we were previously.

"We're looking at forming a mums and toddlers' group and then increasing the community use from there."

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