PORT NECHES — A local church has officially found a new home.

Port Neches city councilmembers approved a conditional use permit and a rezoning request for Pathway Church Mid-County thus paving the way for church leaders to convert a former skating rink to a community church on Thursday.

“We are excited,” the Rev. Cazzy Francis said after the meeting ended. “We’ve been working towards this for four years. We’ve been at a much smaller facility (Athletes Sports Training center) and owner Bryan Bost has been great.”

Pathway Church’s new home will be at 2326 Nederland Ave., Port Neches. Francis said there are between 130 to 150 members in the church, which includes families, and youth.

William Spell, a church elder, and Francis were on hand for the public hearing and council’s decision.

“The goal of the church is to lead people to Jesus,” Spell said.

Francis said the church has been in existence for four years and that the property on Nederland Avenue was purchased 14 months ago.

The property is now zoned for planned unit development per city requirements for places of worship.

Council also approved a replat request for property at 1511 Bowlin. The property was replatted into four lots for construction of four single family homes. Johnsye and Rhonda McDonald submitted the request for the creation of McDonald Estates, according to information from the City of Port Neches.

In other action, council approved allowing the creation of a new position within the fire department — fire engineer and added the position into the department’s wage and salary plan.

“The number of positions are not changing,” City Manager Andre Wimer said. “Currently there are nine firefighters and three captains. With the change there will be six firefighters, three engineers and three captains.”

The effective date for the new position is Jan. 16, 2017.