The opening of a new evangelical church in the French town of Besançon caught the attention of the national news channel Franceinfo.

The church has started its worship services in the premises of a former 'sex shop' opposite Besançon's station.

“It is not the place that makes the church, it is the people who make the church”, said the pastor, Michel Marvane on national television.

Le Tabernacle

Marvane, along with his team, opened Le Tabernacle Besançon church at the beginning of January. He founded the first Le Tabernacle church in Dijon in 1992, and has also established churches in Beaune, Nancy and Lyon.

Le Tabernacle group is part of the National Council of Evangelical Christians (CNEF), which represents over 70% of evangelical Protestant churches in France.

Long search

After 4 years looking to set up a church in Besançon, the niece of Marvane and her husband, finally found the right place.

“It was a challenge”, explained Virginie Maccanin to Franceinfo. “It is funny that it's a former sex shop, but we chose it mainly because it was close to the station and well served by public transport”.

“We did a lot of work to refurbish the place and redo the ceilings. The work was financed by donations and the premises are rented”, pointed out pastor Marvane.

The church now holds services every Sunday afternoon at 4pm. Several dozen attended the first service on 7 January, and around twenty people on the next Sunday.