THE congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints almost raised the roof of its new building this month, when they finally managed to enjoy a hymn session.

From a congregation of 10 gathering in a basement, to more than 100 regulars, the Guy Street premises simply wasn’t big enough to house everyone in its chapel room.

However after months of work an extension at the back of the building into the car park behind Target Country has given them a new chapel, which will seat 144 people.

The extension was officially opened earlier this month and adhered to the same heritage theme as the original building.

Church president Lehi Clark gave the Daily News a grand tour of the new building, which also includes two new offices, new toilet facilities and a garden area where he hopes to host the bi-weekly “Soup Sunday”.

“We are hoping to put a shade sail up and put some table and chairs out, so we can enjoy the outdoor area too,” Mr Clark said.

Now the congregation can gather in one room, close to the new electric piano, and sing together.

There is room for the children’s group, young women and women’s groups to have their individual sessions in separate rooms, rather than on an ad-hoc basis as it sometimes was in the past.

The church also has parking and a rear entrance from the Target Country car park.

And it’s definitely proven a big hit with Mr Clark’s daughter Rachel, who enjoyed running rings around the church, visibly impressed.

Mr Clark said the rest of the congregation were equally excited.

“Everyone loved it,” he said.

“We had many people who haven’t come for a while come to have a look.”

His wife Heidi added, “It was something very special when we first got to sing all together with everyone in the same room.”