Church celebrates 125 year milestone
A CHURCH which has seen six monarchs, toasted two Diamond Jubilees and survived both World Wars marked its anniversary this weekend.
Royston Methodist Church, on Queen’s Road, celebrated 125 years of serving the town on both Saturday and Sunday with a variety of events.
Minister Chris White said: “It is a privilege to be the minister of a church with a history of 125 years in Royston.
“During the weekend a number of previous ministers are coming back to preach and share stories.
“The church is doing really well – it has just had an interior refurbishment. It now has an exterior that looks 1887 but the interior looks like 2012 and a mix of 1887.”
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The church was formed by a grocer from Royston and nine other tradesmen from Cambridge who agreed to purchase a piece of land to build on.
A plot on the then Water Street was brought for �50 in 1886 and one year later work was completed.
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At 3pm on July 7, 1887, the chapel was dedicated and Saturday will see a service of thanksgiving to mark the occasion on the same date and time.
Royston mayor Lindsay Davidson said: “I am extremely pleased and very proud to be invited to the Methodist Church as it celebrates 125 years.
“They have been here for all this time and have been part of the community. They are a wonderful bunch.”
Much has changed since 1887 and a senior figure at the chapel told the Crow the Methodist Church has adapted to it.
Pastoral secretary and leader Joan Germany said: “The church has changed so much in how we do things and how it is.
“We are a lot more open to the community and not just Methodist people, it is a big change.”
An exhibition of the church’s history opened at 10am on Saturday with a buffet meal and entertainment following the service.
Today (Sunday) saw a special service celebrate the anniversary.
