Civic celebration as church marks 150th birthday (From York Press)

Civic celebration as York Baptist Church marks 150th birthday

10:34am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News

A YORK church marked its 150th birthday with a civic celebration.

In the presence of the Lord Mayor, Coun Keith Hyman, and the Civic Party, 300 present and former members of York Baptist Church gathered to celebrate its history from 1863 and look to its future.

The magnificent church building in Priory Street seated 750 people when it opened and it is now a Listed Building.

Changes over the years have included the installation of electricity, the enlargement of the Sunday School building and the removal of the bellows organ. The church has been used continuously through war and peacetime.

Now the thriving congregation make use of the building for various activities throughout the week – a toddler group, youth clubs for various ages, older persons’ meeting and a neighbourhood drop-in session for a drink and a chat.

The Easter Holiday Club Week attracts 120 primary school-aged children from the surrounding area.