Worshippers bounce up to first inflatable church
The PVC church, which is 47ft high from ground to steeple, 47ft long and 25ft wide, was the centre of attention at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Esher, Surrey.
Resembling a giant bouncy castle, it holds around 60 people standing and includes a blow-up organ, altar, pulpit, pews, candles and "stained glass" windows.
After the church was inflated, the Rev Michael Elfred, a Church of England minister, invited spectators in for a special dedication ceremony.
"In the church, we need to try and get out into the community," he said. "In a fun way, this inflatable church may help some Christian communities to do just that."
The church was originally created six years ago by Michael Gill, 34, of InnovationsUk.com Ltd in Southampton, for use by a nightclub chain as a promotional gimmick. But the deal fell through and it was only several years later when Mr Gill was told by his manufacturers that they had actually built the church, that he revived the concept.
Mr Gill said when he saw the finished product he recognised its great potential as a venue for weddings, christenings or even engagement ceremonies. He said it was not just a novelty and that he hoped it would be used by the church as a tool for taking religion out into communities, to promote Christianity.
"When I first saw it, it was beyond my wildest dreams," he said.
"It is not a bouncy castle, it is a mobile, traditional English church. I realised there would be many opportunities for this product. Mobile weddings, christenings or even if you want to get engaged and surprise your partner.
"There has also been huge interest from the church around the world. They have been waiting for something like this that they can use in the community - this will significantly help them do that."
"Nothing like this has ever been created before. I knew deep down it would attract interest, but the response around the world has been phenomenal."
The church, which is transported around in a van, costs £21,750 to buy and around £2,000 a day to rent.
Mr Gill, who has plans for an inflatable nightclub and inflatable pub, said he was also considering building an inflatable mosque and synagogue.
So far he has had inquiries for purchase and hire of the church from more than 20 different countries.
He is hoping to produce several more of the churches and will start taking orders after he has taken the church on a six-week promotional tour in the US. Mr Elfred said the UK's current marriage laws meant the church could not be used as a venue for weddings unless it was licensed.
"The application for this, as far as I am concerned, is working with children," he said. "I cannot see it as a building where people worship every week. You can imagine getting punctures in it it would be a nightmare!"
But Mr Gill, whose company creates entertainment concepts for the leisure industry, said he was serious about the inflatable church being used as a force for good particularly among young people.
"It is representative of Christianity wherever it goes and a reminder to people of their local church," he said.
"What I would really like to do is to get the church to distribute one of these in every town and city around the world."
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