St Thomas’s Church in Batley is celebrating 150 years since it first opened its door this year.
To commemorate the milestone, the church is launching an appeal to former parishioners, bride and grooms, guides, scouts and Sunday school attendees.
The church is hoping to get in contact with anyone who has been involved over the years to share and preserve memories.
All former parishioners are being invited to two celebratory weekends. In particular the church is looking for those who have been christened, confirmed or married at the church down the years, those who attended guiding or scouting groups, Sunday school attendees, former members of the congregation and former Mothers' Union members.
The Revd Mark Umpleby, Associate Priest, said “We are excited to celebrate the 150th birthday of St Thomas’ Church here in Batley. We would love to make contact with people for whom St Thomas at one point or another has played an important part in their life. Also, to invite all in our community to come and join the celebrations.
"Our aim to not only to come together to celebrate our church’s birthday, but also to preserve the memories as part of our research into the church and the community it has served. Our research material on the church’s history will be displayed at our two celebratory weekends, which we hope we can add to during this year using your stories. "
St Thomas’s first celebratory event will be a special Summer Garden Party and Patronal festival which will be celebrated on Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July 2018.
"Hopefully the sunshine will be with us and all are invited for stalls, music and celebrations in the church garden on the Saturday from 2.00pm, with a special celebration service led by the Bishop of Leeds on the Sunday at 9.30am" added Mark.
A special flower festival weekend is also being organised later in the year in conjunction with Ossett flower club, from 21 to 23 September .
Anyone who would like to share their memories or receive further information is invited to contact: stthomaschurchbatley@gmail.com
or visit the website, www.stthomasbatley.org