Mozart will be setting the tone for celebration

CLASSIC church music will be filling St James’s Church, on Sunday.

And to help celebrate the Victorian church’s 180th anniversary there will be 30 priests from all over the country.

The vicar, the Rev Paul Plumpton, has arranged a concelebrated mass which will include Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C major, and William Walton’s Te Deum.

Construction of the church, in Barry Street, Oldham, began in 1827, costing £9,651, and it was consecrated in 1829.

But after the Second World War, St James’s began to decay, and by the 1970s it had been considered for closure.

Since Mr Plumpton arrived, 30 years ago in October, the church has been transformed.

More than £1 million has been spent on major indoor and outdoor restoration, including re-roofing, dry rot treatment, a new kitchen, electrical rewiring, work on the church bell and work on the tower and clock face.

Sunday’s preacher will be a friend from student days, the Rev John Brownsell, from Notting Hill.

Mr Plumpton explained: “He preached at my induction service at St James’s 30 years ago, and he has stayed at his church for 30 years as well.” After the choral service, which starts at 6.30pm, there will be a fireworks display in the grounds.