Over 600 people filed into Hoxton Park's new multipurpose building yesterday, as it officially opened after more than a year in construction.

The crowd comfortably fitted into the auditorium, which officially seats 500, and wandered around the activities hall, meeting rooms, offices and conference room that are also part of the new complex.

The building, which the parish has been working towards for the last 15 years, has already made a positive impact on ministry at Hoxton Park, says rector, the Rev Bruce Dingwall.

"In the last two weeks, we've been able to start an after-school boys' club, a girls' club and a playgroup," says Mr Dingwall.

"Since opening the building, we've had 20-30 new people join the church," he adds, with some newcomers walking in to check out the new building - and staying on.

Yesterday gave past and present congregations the opportunity to reflect and rejoice, Mr Dingwall explains.

"It's been a chance for us as a congregation to celebrate God's goodness and invite everyone who has been a part of it to come along."

The thanksgiving service was combined with prayer and reflection for the victims of the Victorian bushfires, as churches around the country adapted services in different ways for the National Day of Mourning.

Among those present were the Liverpool mayor Wendy Waller, local member Paul Lynch, architects Greg Nelson and John Lemsing, and the Rev Kelvin Tutt, the rector who originally planted the Hoxton Park congregation from the parish of Sadleir.

Archbishop Peter Jensen gave the address, while former Georges River Archdeacon Geoff Huard related a history of the Hoxton Park congregation and building project.

Building welcomes growing community

The church has many more ideas floating about possible uses for the new building, including more children's clubs, exercise classes, dance classes and a homework club.

"The opportunities are limitless," says Mr Dingwall.

The building was constructed with a view to reaching the community in a rapidly growing area of Sydney.

"We're in a region of new housing development and there's still an incredible number of houses to go in," says Mr Dingwall. "The potential number of people for us to reach is huge."

Mr Dingwall says that after holding church meetings in a local school building, the congregation appreciates having a place to call home.

"It's great not having to set church up and pack it away each week," says Mr Dingwall. "At the school, we were unable to run mid-week activities and we had no access to a kitchen."

Mr Dingwall says he is happy for other churches to come and use the new facilities to run their own activities.

"Mary Andrews College is running a women's Bible course on Fridays and another church is looking to have a conference here," he says.

The congregation at Hoxton Park is extremely thankful for all the help they have received in the completion of the new building.

"It's been made possible by the prayers of so many people and a number of other churches who have contributed significantly," says Mr Dingwall. "God has been gracious to us."