ANNIVERSARY OF CHURCH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY OF CHURCH

St. Mary’s 95 Years Old

The ninety-fifth anniversary celebrations of St. Mary's Church. Addington, will begin on February 24 95 years after the first service was held in the church. They will last till March 4. Holy Communion will be celebrated at a special thanksgiving service on the morning of February 24 and in the afternoon a garden party will be held in the church grounds. Special services will be held on the next day, a Sunday, and the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. Sullivan) and the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) will take part. A parish social will be held on February 26 and a women’s afternoon the next day. On February 28 Sunday School and Bible class teachers will have a reunion. There will be a photographic display on March 1 and a young people's social will be held on March 2. A Sunday School party will be held on March 3 and former Vicars will take part in services oh the final day of the celebrations. The church was at first part of the parish of St Michael's and All Angels. Christchurch It was built in 1867 at a cost of £350 Later, because of small congregations. it was to close for two years. The original wooden church still stands though it has been added to and concreted. The bell tower, demolished about 25 years ago, was rebuilt in steel and dedicated this year. The first resident curate was the Rev. H. E. East, who served there from 1875 to 1892