An evangelical church which hopes to welcome up to 500 people to Sunday worship services has just opened in a former Odeon cinema in Suffolk.

Members of the Hope Church in Ipswich have turned the iconic building, which last screened films 15 years ago, into their new centre which includes meeting rooms and offices. 

Lead Pastor, Tom Scrivens told the Ipswich Star newspaper he was delighted that after three years of work they were finally able to open the doors to their congregation:

"We actually got the keys to the building in September 2018,  it's taken a time to get here but we're very pleased with what we have." 

The layout of the building still resembles a cinema - except for the upper floor. The two top screens have been knocked together to form a large auditorium for the church's main services.

Pastor Scrivens said: "We will be launching our cafe during January and that will be open Monday to Friday for anyone to come and chill out and be welcomed and get the support they need as well.

"We've got Christian Advice Service that will be here quite regularly in the coming weeks and months which is a place where people can come to get support and advice - a bit like the Citizen's Advice Bureau."

The church held a private prayer meeting at the end of last week to test out the new auditorium with 300 people turning up - but most Sundays it expects to attract 400-500 people.

The Hope Church is part of a network of Relational Mission churches which in turn is part of a global family of churches called Newfrontiers. 

Posting on Twitter after the church's first service in its new premises, Pastor Scrivens wrote :