Leaders of the Mount Zion Family Life Centre in Heartsease are currently receiving help from other churches and groups, as they are looking to find an alternative venue to hold services. Church members said they were determined that the loss of their building would not disrupt their activities, including a large rock concert planned to take place in two weeks' time.
A spokeswoman for the church said they were expecting about 1,000 people to attend the upcoming concert featuring popular Christian rock band Delirious?, and they had no plans to cancel it as a new venue was being sought. She added: “Churches and organisations have just come together to offer us help and support and it has been extremely encouraging.”
Pastor Trevor Pimlott said: “This tragedy will turn into a triumph as we continue to go forward as a church. A building can be destroyed but the spirit, heartbeat, and purpose of the church cannot. A temporary alternative venue is being sourced and the Mount Zion Family Life Centre will continue to impact our city and the lives of the people we love and serve.”The church runs a range of activities for 250 children and young people each week through its Rainbow Toddler club, pre-school activities, Adventurers and the Wildlife youth group. It also provides activities for other family members and its aim is to worship God and preach and teach God's word. It has one of the largest congregations in Norwich and provides conference facilities for major events.
The Mount Zion Family Life Centre celebrated its 40th anniversary in June last year, the church having been founded by a Dr Sedley Pimlott. The church building itself was to celebrate its 10th anniversary in April. It opened in 1996 and cost £1.2 million to build. Expansion plans were in place for a youth and community building.
At the height of Monday's blaze, some 90 firefighters fought to keep the fire under control. Police sealed off the site on Monday to preserve the scene to allow forensic and scientific investigations into the cause of the blaze to be carried out.
