Grace Bible Church Gains Approval for New Worship Space in Dunedin

Grace Bible Church has received resource consent from the Dunedin City Council to convert a warehouse at 686 Great King St into a place of worship. The site, formerly used by a party equipment rental service called Video Tech, is situated near a busy section of the street, also known as State Highway 1, which is informally referred to as “Fatty Lane” due to its concentration of fast-food outlets. This location is predominantly surrounded by student housing and is in close proximity to the University of Otago.

Pastor Rev Dr Ben Hudson has stated that Grace Bible Church has been operating in Dunedin for over 20 years. With a congregation of approximately 250 members, the church has never had a permanent home in the city. “We love the idea of being nice and close to the campus so that students can be part of our church family and explore or grow in faith during their time at university,” he said. The church currently holds three separate services on Sundays at a temporary location on Duke Street.

The plan is to transform the Great King Street site into a worship space that can accommodate up to 300 people, as well as serve as a venue for various church and community gatherings. “We hope the building will be a real blessing to the North Dunedin community,” added Hudson.

Grace Bible Church, which began as a denomination in New Zealand in 2003, has expanded to include more than 21 churches across the country. Many of its members come from a more conservative background within the Presbyterian Church, seeking a faith community that aligns with their beliefs. The church identifies itself as “Presbyterian in government, reformed in theology and evangelical in spirit.” Its teachings include views on ethical issues such as homosexuality and abortion, which it considers sinful, and it does not permit women to serve as pastors or elders.

Financially, the church estimates it will require about $3.2 million to complete the North Dunedin project, which includes $1 million for renovations to the site. Currently, the church has raised about $1.8 million and plans to fundraise the remaining amount. “We’re trusting God to provide and being patient in the meantime,” Hudson commented.

While the church acknowledges that the project is still several years away from completion, obtaining resource consent is viewed as an exciting milestone towards realizing their vision for a permanent place of worship. As the church continues to grow, it remains committed to serving the local community and fostering a supportive environment for students and residents alike.