A ROMAN Catholic parish is appealing for help in raising £100,000 to fit out a new church.

The distinctive church will soon be built to cater for the Roman Catholic parish of St Therese of Lisieux, in Ingleby Barwick.

Parishioners are said to be overjoyed after hearing they will soon have a church of their own following 20 years of services held in temporary venues.

Parish priest, Father Pat Hartnett, promised facilities would be shared with the wider community.

He said: “Since our parish was officially founded in 1994, the parishioners have worked and prayed tirelessly to realise our dream of having our own church building.

“We’re grateful for the support over the years from the other venues and look forward to celebrating Mass and the other sacraments in a church of our own.

“It will give us a place where we can celebrate all the sacraments and continue to build the wonderful community we already have here in Ingleby Barwick.”

The development, funded by the Diocese of Middlesbrough, will feature a church, social space, altar and lectern.

Additional costs to fit out and decorate the Blair Avenue building must be met by the parish, which has now launched a fundraising drive.

Work on the new church is due to start on Monday, May 25.

Plans will be displayed at a public meeting taking place at St Therese of Lisieux Primary School on Tuesday, April 28.

For more information or to help with fundraising, call 01642 751304 or email fundraising@stthereseingleby.org.uk.