From snooker hall to church (From Croydon Guardian)

From snooker hall to church

3:35pm Wednesday 1st October 2008 in Local news By Guardian reporter

A derelict snooker hall in East Croydon has been transformed into a church.

The Potter’s House Christian Church in Croydon say the new building will be a hub of activity for single mums and local teenagers involved in gangs.

Congregation donations and a loan of £580,000 from the Co-operative Bank allowed the church to bid for the building and renovate it.

Pastor Clement Okusi, leader of the church, said: “For a long time, it has been the church’s vision to have a building from which we can serve the community.

David Bolton and his team at the Co-operative Bank have given us sound financial advice at every stage of the process. They have not just been our bank, they have become part of our project team.”