A GREENOCK Church has opened its doors for the first time after a £750,000 facelift.

Members of Greenock Baptist Church attended their first service in their own church since June at the weekend.

The building has been totally transformed to bring it up to the 21st Century.

Reverend Paul Coventry said: "I am delighted, it's so different.

"There has been a few people in to help clean the church but only a few people had seen it.

"I think the congregation was overwhelmed."

The final cost includes the purchase of the building and refurbishment.

Reverend Coventry said: "It has been taken back to a shell. All the walls are new, the walls have been damp-proofed and re-lined. Everything has been changed including the layout.

"The aim of the project was to make the building fit for purpose and provide greater flexibility in the way we use the space."

Services will now be held in a bright and airy room which can be extended with the use of partition walls, these also divide the auditorium from a games room behind and the cafe and creche area.

A high-tech audiovisual system will be used in conjunction with services.

There is also a new kitchen, toilet block with disabled access and Sunday School room and larger room upstairs which is available for hire.

Outside there are also two ramps, one at the main entrance and also at the side entrance in Carnock Street which can be used when only the cafe is open.

The building has also been painted and has new signage.

It is the beginning of a new chapter for the congregation.

George Square and Orangefield Baptist Churches merged in 2008 to become Greenock Baptist Church and both buildings were sold in 2011.

For over five years the congregation was without a permanent home and met at the Waterfront Cinema and in Greenock Town Hall saloon, before the move to St Andrew Square in 2016.

Reverend Coventry said: "It will secure the church's future for many years to come, for the next generation and we hope to reach out to more people."