SWANAGE’S new £2.1million Emmanuel Baptist Church building is set to officially open next month after almost two years under construction.

Civic dignitaries and church members will attend the opening ceremony on June 1, the culmination of a project that started on the drawing board more than a decade ago.

Emmanuel Baptist Church minister Rev Mark Hatto, who inherited the project after moving to Swanage a year ago, gave the Daily Echo a sneak preview of what the building has to offer.

He said: “We are a vibrant, living faith and we want others to catch some of that, so we needed a contemporary building.

“People think the church is outdated, but it isn’t – it is very much alive and very much something for today.”

The building, on Victoria Avenue, Swanage, boasts a huge main worship space – that will also be used for weddings, concerts and other activities – which can cater for up to 500 people.

This main space also includes a baptistry – a sunken stairwell leading to water where adults can be baptised in the traditions of the church.

The church building also has a number of spacious meeting rooms, reception and office space, disabled toilets, a disabled lift, a fully equipped kitchen, a children’s room and a digital control room.

Rev Hatto said: “This is not a community centre, it is our church. But it is definitely a centre which will enable us to access and provide facilities for the community.

“The community will come in and use it for their purposes. There will be different groups using it, but we’re also going to be putting on activities which will be accessible.

“That is why we’ve called it Emmanuel Baptist Church and Centre, and not Emmanuel Baptist Church and Community Centre.”

Rev Hatto says he will work closely with local churches and schools.

“To have a 21st century building like this,” he added. “It is a great thing.”

Two Emmanuel Baptist Church and Centre open days take place on May 29/30. The building opens on both days, from 10am-4pm and 6-8pm.