A PIONEERING York church where the congregation has mushroomed from eight to 800 is to celebrate the 40 years since it was "born again".

Thousands of current and former members of St Michael-le-Belfry Church, in High Petergate, will gather on May 28 and May 29 for a huge party to mark its remarkable period of rejuvenation and to look at plans for the future.

Its original pioneer, the Rev David Watson, took over at St Cuthbert's Church, in Peasholme Green, in 1965, when the congregation numbered only eight.

But within months it grew dramatically as he adopted a more modern, "charismatic" approach to worship and targeted young people across the city.

The church eventually moved to the bigger setting of St Michael's in 1973 when it ran out of room.

The building, which is situated across the road from York Minster, had been earmarked for closure because of its dwindling congregation.

St Michael's now employs 15 staff and is the largest church in the Diocese of York, with nearly 1,000 people attending up to six services every Sunday.

Modern features include a service conducted in Mandarin to cater for York's Chinese population and another Sunday meeting held at Next Generation gym to spread the gospel among the rowing machines and treadmills.

Church co-ordinator Mark Rance, who has worshipped at St Michael's for nearly 25 years, said David Watson, had breathed new life into the church and made Christianity relevant.

"Everything we're doing now is because of what happened 40 years ago," he said.

"He (Rev Watson) took the church from being just about a Sunday service to being a whole lifestyle. We're still pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a Christian and a church today."

The Rev Roger Simpson, one of four clergy members presently at the church, said the event would be "a chance to look back and give thanks for all the amazing work done over the last 40 years".

"It's also a chance to take stock and look ahead to the next 40 years," he said.

"There is a great deal of optimism. The general impression is that the Church of England is declining, but I see a lot of growth happening right across the churches in York."

The Life Begins At... weekend events will include lectures and concerts at St Michael's on Saturday, May 28, from 2pm, followed by a picnic and party in Dean's Park between 6pm and 10pm.

A thanksgiving service will be held at St Michael's on Sunday, May 29, at 10.30am. The church's former rector, Bishop Graham Cray, will preach at the meeting. Anyone interested should phone the church on 01904 624190.

Updated: 10:13 Saturday, April 30, 2005