VILLAGERS are set to take the ‘significant’ first step in the building of their new church after fundraising for more than a decade.

The community at Crossways has been working together for years to build their own church to house a growing congregation and a special First Turf Turning ceremony will be held to mark the construction finally getting underway.

The building of St Aldhelm’s Church is expected to be completed by Easter 2015.

Crossways resident Simon Hunt said: “This most exciting step marks the beginning of a new chapter in the progress of Crossways parishioners to establish a permanent and lasting base for worship and associated activities. “To have reached this point has not been without much effort, hard work and perseverance of many, many people.”

Villagers have raised more than £100,000 towards the new church, which will be spent on maintenance and running of the building.

Mr Hunt added that people across the community had been involved, many of whom are a ‘silent majority of stalwarts’.

The new building will be sited at land at Frome Valley CE VA First School.

The Reverend Jacquie Birdseye, of the united benefice of Moreton, Woodsford, Crossways and Tincleton, was appointed to oversee the building of the new church around nine years ago.

She is currently on sabbatical until early November.

Planning permission was granted by West Dorset District Council in September last year.

In the application, the Church of England Diocese of Salisbury said the single storey community hall would be used by the local church and school for services.

The community has been using the youth centre to worship on Sundays.

An event is being held on Monday, November 10 at 2.30pm to mark the significant first step of turning the first turf.

All are welcome to attend and the event will be followed by tea and cakes.