Preparations underway for celebrations to mark church's 80th anniversary (From The Advertiser Series)

Preparations underway for celebrations to mark Darlington church's 80th anniversary

12:22pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News

PREPARATIONS are in full swing for a weekend-long celebration to mark 80 years of worship at a Darlington church.

Elm Ridge Methodist Church, in Carmel Road South, is holding a weekend of special events to showcase the building’s rich history.

The celebrations, on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, will feature an exhibition of historic black and white photographs, as well as guided tours around the grounds.

Musicians, including 17-year-old organist, John Henderson, will perform throughout the day, and a special concert featuring Darlington Choral Society and Youth Choir will take place on the Saturday evening.

Organiser Hilda Rishworth said: “Everything is in full swing and everything is going well. We are just hoping the snow disappears by then and the weather gets nicer.

“It is going to be a really interesting weekend. The days are going to be full of musical entertainment as we want to make it as lively as possible.

“I am so pleased the way everybody has worked to make this happen.”

The church was built in 1867 as a home by John Pease, the eldest son of Edward Pease, founder of the Darlington and Stockton Railway, and was opened as a church in 1932.

The Harroway Room, named after the renovator of the church, GM Harroway, will also be brought to life during the weekend with furniture from the opening of the church that has not been on display since a remodel in 1999.

Tickets for the concert cost £5 and are available from the church office, on 01325-282491. The rest of the weekend is free of charge.