Wedding plan for inflatable church
By Magdalena Wallmont
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The Rev. Michael Elfred greets worshippers in the blow-up church.
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Making church an uplifting experience: CNN's Jim Boulden reports (May 13)
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- An inflatable church, complete with organ, altar and candles, has gone on display for the first time and is up for hire to wedding parties.
The polyester cloth church is 15 meters high and 8 meters wide and is designed to bring religion to more communities.
It went on display at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Surrey, southern England, on Tuesday, and is bound for Los Angeles in the next few weeks.
Michael Gill, Managing Director of InnovationsUK.com and the man behind the project, says it has generated interest in 23 countries and believes it may be used for novelty weddings.
"We hope that positive messages and usage of the church can be realized across the world," he added.
Gill predicts his church, which costs $3,000 a day to rent or about $30,000 to buy outright, will help bring a positive message to troubled inner-city areas and appeal to young people.
He is also considering expanding to other faiths following inquiries about inflatable mosques and synagogues. But his next project is an inflatable pub and nightclub which would hold up to 600 people.
"We might also design something around Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, to have as your own party marquee," he added.
The church, which took five years to complete, was blessed by Father Mick Elfred who stepped inside to give a prayer.
He hopes it will generate extra interest in the Anglican Church.
