TEN years ago, it was facing a cash crisis and had a dwindling congregation.

But now, one of York’s most multi-cultural churches is booming – so much so that it has had to launch a new service to accommodate the extra worshippers.

Elim Pentecostal Church met in Swinegate until 2004, before moving to St Lawrence’s CE Primary School to be nearer more of its members, but rising demand has forced it to look for bigger premises.

Pastor Graham Hutchinson hoped to use the Barbican Centre, but delays to the redevelopment forced a rethink and the church has instead now launched a second, café-style service, operating at the same time as its main service.

Mr Hutchinson said: “We tried to find a suitable larger placed to meet on Sunday mornings than the school, without success.

“We even used the Barbican Centre four times November and December last year.

“We rent a small building on Lawrence Street which was intended to be offices and training suite, but finally in an effort to stop having to turn people away we started a new Sunday morning congregation there called The Gathering in November. The Gathering is a return to our cafe-style and it is already doing well. It has only been going a few weeks but already has over 25 people attending.

“At The Gathering visitors can expect to be welcomed with the smell of fresh coffee and Danish pastries – the format will include opportunities to ask questions and take part in discussion and worship is contemporary in style.”

Mr Hutchinson joined the church in 1999 when it was raising money for a new roof at its Swinegate home. He pioneered the café-style church in 2002 and the church began growing. It moved to St Lawrence’s in 2004 and its congregation has since grown from about 70 to about 250, including people from more than 20 nationalities.