Parishioners at Holy Trinity and St Jude’s Church in Halifax were joined Bishop Jonathan last Sunday to mark the 125th anniversary of the church’s consecration, while surrounded by angels.
The congregation celebrated the occasion on Sunday 6th December with the Bishop of Huddersfield in the church which was filled with angels for their Angel Festival which took place on the same weekend.
The service landed three and a half weeks after the exact anniversary date which falls on the 13thNovember.
The Revd Dr Richard Frith, Vicar of Holy Trinity and St Jude’s Church, says, “It was great to be able to welcome Bishop Jonathan to our church for the first time for this really joyful occasion.
“Being the first Sunday of the month, it was our monthly All Age Communion service, with the Bishop preaching and presiding.
“He helped us think about where our church stands - where we have come from, and where God might be leading us.
“The service combined Advent themes with the anniversary celebrations.
“After the service we enjoyed a very lovely anniversary cake made by our Parish Reader, Carolyn Barnett.”
The parish of St Jude’s was originally an offshoot from the parish of All Saints, though the reason for this is unknown.
The site for the Church was selected in 1887, the building work began in 1888 and the church was finally consecrated by Bishop Walsham How on the 13th November 1890.
In 2007, the parish of St Jude combined with Holy Trinity, and began worshipping as a single congregation at St Jude's - though Holy Trinity Primary School (the former home of Holy Trinity church) is still used for some special services.
For more information on Holy Trinity and St Jude’s Angel Festival, please see here: http://www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.org/content/angels-fill-halifax-church-christmas
To find out more about the history of Holy Trinity and St Jude’s Church, please see their website here: http://www.holytrinitystjudes.org.uk/history/st-judes/