Demolition and reconstruction of St Chad’s Anglican Church in Meadowbank, Auckland, will begin in the next few weeks at a cost of more than $3 million.

The final service is being held next Sunday.

Vicar Martin Bridge says the service will be a mixture of tears and happiness – especially given Mr Bridge’s retirement next year.

"It’s a big deal, I think. It will be a bit like a funeral. A lot of people have memories tied up there. There will be plenty of time for speeches and to reminisce.

"It’s quite emotional because this project is like my final thing before I leave – to get the church finished."

The old church was built in 1929 and was designed to hold just 150 people.

Mr Bridge told the East & Bays Courier last year that its growing congregation simply can’t fit.

And although it passed building inspections, rooms are damp and cold, uneconomical to maintain and run, and have inadequate toilet facilities.

Currently the church is separated into three buildings. The new plans are to have all facilities under one roof with space for 48 car parks.

This will include a new church to cater for 250 people, a community room to seat 100 with video monitors that can be used for functions, a new vicarage, cafe, four small classrooms and one large youth room.

The new church should be finished by Christmas.

In the mean time, Sunday services will be held in Mt Carmel School hall in Meadowbank, with temporary parish offices in Apirana Ave, Glen Innes.

A fundraising effort last year was "amazingly successful" with church members donating $2.5m themselves.

The Auckland Diocesan Council is giving $500,000, and the Auckland City Council has agreed to a community facility grant of $350,000.