A Pentecostal church is to celebrate its new permanent home with a civic dedication ceremony.

The Lighthouse Church has taken over the former St Faith’s Church in Station Road, Maidstone.

Under the direction of pastor Julius Eniolu, the Lighthouse has had a presence in the county town since 2003, but at various temporary locations, including Hillary Hall in Mangravat Avenue, Maplesden Noakes School, the Hilton Hotel and even the Royal Mail Sorting Office at Sandling.

Most recently it has been sharing the St Faith’s building with the Anglican congregation, but now the Anglicans have moved out to the new purpose-built St Faith’s Centre in Ringlestone and Lighthouse has bought the historic church from them.

Pastor Julius said: “It’s such a blessing to finally have a place the Lighthouse Christian Centre can call home. Somewhere from which we hope to do even more to serve our community.”

The church will mark both its new settled status and its 20th anniversary in a combined civic celebration on Friday, September 22, when the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Gordon Newton, will join the congregation.

Pastor Julius said: “It’s a time of great joy and excitement for us.”

The celebration begins at 6pm.

The following Sunday, September 24, the church will hold a thanksgiving service at 10.30am. All welcome.

The current St Faith’s Church was built in 1872, but it is on the site of a much older St Faith’s Chapel. The final stage of the Battle of Maidstone, between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers during the English Civil War, was fought in its churchyard before the Royalists surrendered.