Church seeks expansion as congregation swells

A church that was once partly sold off is aiming to regain its original capacity after a boost in worshippers.

Part of St Mark's Church in Grimsby was demolished to build a medical centre in 2010 after a fall in the number of people attending services.

However, after a push by the church to increase its congregation, which began in 2021, a planning application has now been submitted to increase capacity from 180 to 300.

The church has applied to North East Lincolnshire Council for a two-storey extension, new facilities for children, a new garden and more car parking spaces.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the plans have been submitted following a well-received public consultation.

The church, situated off Laceby Road and close to Winchester Avenue, was opened in 1959 as a community church to serve the Nunsthorpe and Grange estates.

After facing potential closure in 2020, St Mark's was then chosen for improvement as part of the Diocese of Lincoln's strategy for revitalising urban churches.

It was officially relaunched in November 2021 with a new vicar, and a small team from St Swithin's Church, Lincoln.

North East Lincolnshire Council will make a decision on the application in due course.

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