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Hundreds of people came to help St Chad’s in Far Headingley celebrate its 150th anniversary last weekend.
Vicar, the Revd Tom Lusty, says, “We were overwhelmed by the response. I thought we might just reach 100, but 200 people stayed for lunch. It was a wonderful day of both looking back and forwards".
On Sunday evening, a torchlit procession followed a festive evensong.
And on Sunday morning there was “a rededication of hearts and minds” service with Bishop Nick. It was a civic occasion attended by the Lord Mayor, local MP, interfaith and ecumencial guests, along with clergy and readers who had served at St Chad’s.
Some video clips of the day can be seen here.
On the actual anniversary day, Thursday 11 January, there was a special sponsored peal of bells by eight ringers from across Leeds. (A peal is a length of ringing of just over 5000 different changes. It took just over three hours to complete).
The church was declared open for worship by the Bishop of Ripon on 11 January 1868. It (and the parish centre) have been at the heart of the community ever since.
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In 2015 St Chad's was the venue for Yorkshire cricket legend Brian Close’s memorial service.
It is used as a rehearsal space by Leeds Festival Chorus and Leeds Symphony Orchestra and it has also featured in TV programmes Girlfriends and Fat Friends written by Leeds writer Kay Mellor.
To further celebrate its anniversary, the church is planning a sponsored cycle ride from Lichfield to Headingley. Tom Lusty says, “My Churchwarden thought it was a good idea to have a 150 mile sponsored cycle ride from Lichfield (where Chad was the first Bishop of Lichfield) to Far Headingley.
“The team will set off from Lichfield on Friday 22 June and cycle up the church drive to rapturous applause (I hope) on the afternoon of Saturday 23 June. By sheer good fortune this venture coincides with the St Chad’s Broomfield CC’s Beer Festival.
“We’re hoping to recruit potential cyclists from within the parish who'd be up for the challenge and who'd also be prepared to come along to a few training sessions. Please contact Simon on 07510 345978."