CONSTRUCTION has started on a £1.75m church and community hall on a Bicester estate.

Work to lay the foundations of the new Emmanuel Church has been completed and phase one – building the shell of the centre – is due to start in January next year.

Last week about 80 people gathered at Bure Park to see the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, officially signal the start of the work.

It is hoped the building will be completed in a year’s time.

So far, fundraisers have collected £350,000 for the project, which was launched last summer.

The church’s vicar, the Rev Chris Boyce, a member of the Bicester team ministry, said: “This ceremony, and the subsequent building, marks the first phase of a £1.75m new church centre in Bure Park.

“The church has now raised £350,000 towards this and donations have been promised from the Diocese of Oxford and Cherwell District Council.

“Enough money has been raised to build the foundations and nearly enough for the shell.

“Church members are now working to raise the rest, so they can complete the other phases of the project.

“We see this building as a tool in God’s hands to bring real help and support to the community.”

The two-storey hall is being built on a site between Bicester North Surgery and the Busy Bees Nursery, in Barberry Place.

It will include a hall, four meeting rooms, an office and a kitchen, and a foyer area, which could also house a café.

Mike Buckmaster, vice-chairman of Bure Park Residents’ Association, said the building would be a great asset for the community.

He added: “We’re all in favour of it.”

Over the coming months the church will stage fundraising events and apply for grants to reach its target.

The land was donated to the church by the developer of Bure Park estate. Worshippers currently meet at Bure Park Primary School’s hall.

The evangelical church, which is part of the Church of England, works closely with Bicester Food Bank and Christians Against Poverty, a debt counselling charity.