Captains Richard and Gaye Day said they received the occupancy certificate from the Gunnedah Shire Council a week ago and hope to have moved everything in by next week.

“We’re over the moon,” Captain Gaye Day said.

“We’ve made the Promised Land. It’s happening.”

Captain Richard Day said despite the length of the project, the last green light brought home the reality.

“It’s actually a bit daunting,” he said.

“You’ve been working so long for it and suddenly it’s happening.”

The Salvos have been using Carinya Christian School’s hall for services for a number of years after outgrowing their original building on Barber Street.

The first church service in the new building will be held on Sunday, November 6.

The Salvos will met first in the Carinya Hall at 10am and run a slideshow to look back over their history before moving on to the new building to cut a ribbon and hold a mini-party. 

Captain Gaye Day said they would celebrate “what has been”.

“In a way, we’re celebrating that transition and when we come in here, it will be the last stage of our transition, and we’re stepping into the new chapter of our story,” Captain Richard Day said.

The former Centrelink building was purchased by the Salvos more than a year ago, with a wait of six to seven months for a construction certificate before works could begin in May this year.

The building is multifunctional with space for two offices, Sunday School, cry room, youth group, church services, ladies group, craft groups, Doorways program, basic living program, and community services.

The captains agreed that it was a nice change to have their own building because they were no longer limited to set times like they were at Carinya.

“It’s nice to have a home,” Captain Gaye Day said.

“And this building has so much potential.”

The Days said the church congregation was very excited that the wait was over.

“They wanted to march down here,” Captain Gaye Day said.

The Salvos will hold a concert on March 11, 2017, with the official opening to be held the following day.