A TINY church congregation could be revived after striking a deal to restore it to the heart of the community.

Levenshulme United Reformed Church has a membership of just 10 people.

But, by transforming the building into a vibrant new development, worshippers expect their ranks to swell.

Radio

If the final £200,000 needed is raised, the 1864 church building will soon be partly demolished - leaving the spire intact - and rebuilt to include a community centre, apartments, new business units, a radio station and an internet café.

The church will meet in the new building, and leaders hope that people drawn to the complex by the facilities will also become members of the congregation.

Inspire

The scheme is the result of a community partnership called Inspire, made up of the church, the Manchester Methodist Housing Association and community organisations.

Under the plans, the church will sell the building to MMHA, which will lease back the community centre to it for free. MMHA's parent group, Great Places Housing, has secured £2m to build 14 social housing units, helped by grants from the Housing Corporation and Manchester council.

The church recently got £446,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. And to bring the project closer to the £3m needed, worshippers have been selling the building's fixtures and fittings.

eBay

Church leader Ed Cox, 39, said: "We sold the organ a few months ago to a church in Germany on eBay and we also sold the pulpit, doors and communion rails."

Coun Jim Battle, deputy leader of Manchester council, added: "We are pleased to be involved in such a creative scheme. We hope the final investment can now be found to ensure Inspire's plans become a reality.
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