Picture caption: Chair of Trustees (Zion City Tabernacle) Carol Codner, Windsor Queensborough (Pastor) and Louise Guise (LTSBC)

A Wolverhampton based Christian church has moved into newly refurbished premises located on Compton Road in Wolverhampton after securing a six-figure loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial.

Established in 2008, the Zion City Tabernacle Church is known locally for its vibrant worship services held in a stress free environment.

The church has attracted up to 150 new members and regular worshipers since it was formed and offers support to the community and both local and national charities.

The mortgage from Lloyds TSB Commercial has enabled the church to purchase and refurbish a previously run down building that can now offer worship services and the hosting of religious functions such as weddings, funerals and christenings.

Zion City Tabernacle plans to secure further funding over the next year to refurbish the historic coach house in the church grounds which will act as a senior citizens day centre, working alongside the main building on the Compton Road.

Windsor Queensborough, pastor of the Zion City Tabernacle, said: "The new premises are very important in helping us to move towards our long term goal of recruiting new members to the Zion City Tabernacle and allowing us to expand our effectiveness in ministry.

"The challenge for the board of directors is to harness the vast range of skillsets that exist within its established members. This will include taking a strong look towards the city's disaffected youth by offering them the opportunity to do something positive for the community.

"With the funding from Lloyds TSB Commercial we are looking to experience steady and sustainable growth through empowering members and increasing capacity to serve others. The bank has worked closely with us and provided quality and valuable guidance and support and the church sees Lloyds TSB Commercial as a key partner in future programmes to positively impact the city of Wolverhampton."

Louise Guise, relationship manager at Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: "Zion City Tabernacle is growing and becoming an integral part of the community and we are proud to have been able to provide the lending support to help make this move happen for the church.

"By offering this support we hope that the church will not only see the benefits of continued expansion and increased popularity, but through the work they are doing, the whole of the community will benefit as well.

"Since moving premises the congregation has grown at pace, and we are pleased to see the benefits that the funding, support and provision of services has achieved to date. We are committed to supporting local businesses, particularly those like the Zion City Tabernacle, who are an asset to the community."