Church marks 275 years

CELEBRATION . . . Hilary Saxon, of the church council, Stephen Whitehead, trustee of the Saddleworth museum, with the deed to the church from 1748, to the first curate of St John's, Richard Hopwood

A CONGREGATION celebrated its church's 275th anniversary in style, opening its doors to dozens of visitors over the weekend.

St John the Baptist Hey, in Lees, allowed guests to look back at the history of the Grade-II listed Georgian building with a coffee morning, church history display and summer fair.

A series of talks were also held between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, with members describing the life of the Victorian stained-glass windows and ornamental screen at the back of the altar known as the Reredos.

The church, which is now at the junction of St John Street and Stamford Road, dates back to 1742 when a "Chapel of Ease" was built in the hamlet of Hey. With its strong congregation of about 130 adults and 70 young people, the celebratory fair on Sunday was packed out as church-goers marked the occasion with a tombola, caricaturist, raffle and birthday cake.

Church administrator Barbara Ballantyne said: "St John's is a thriving, inclusive worshipping community where everyone is welcome regardless.

"We have been fortunate as custodians of this local heritage to be able to maintain and improve its infrastructure. We are proud of our history of ministry, financial independence and outreach and look forward to the new challenges in the future mission."