POPULAR Halesowen church the Zion Christian Centre is expanding into Hagley and changing its name to Lifecentral Church.

The church, originally known as Zion Pentecostal, has been in Halesowen for 40 years and is now opening an additional branch in Hagley.

The Little Cornbow headquarters has grown from a church into a conference and youth centre with some of the best facilities in the town.

However, in 2015 a huge fire ripped through the auditorium causing tens of thousands of pounds damage. 

On Easter Sunday the name change will be made official and the new Lifecentral Church location at Haybridge School, Brake Lane, will be unveiled.

Lead pastor Leon Evans said: "Now it is time for the name to change - this time to coincide with a new season in our ongoing story.

"As many people will know, in the summer of 2015 a huge fire tore through the auditorium, devastating the heart of this community church.

"What happened in the next few months was inspirational, people came together to help, donations were made, walls were painted, equipment was loaned and the church not only continued to thrive but to actually grow."

He added: "Now - after 40 years in Halesowen - we are excited by these developments. In addition to launching both Lifecentral Church as the new name on Easter Sunday, and a new location in Hagley.

"We will then begin a refurbishment programme at our Halesowen base which will result in a new auditorium at the heart of the town of Halesowen, opening in the autumn of 2017."

He added: "It's a remarkable story of what good things can come from a tough, challenging situation and of the life that can rise from the ashes.

"Lifecentral Church will continue to be a place to discover life."

Tickets are now available for the Lifecentral Church Easter Sunday launch production on Sunday, April16, which will be at 9.30am and 11.30am in Halesowen and 4.30pm in Hagley.