Church with 60 reasons to celebrate; ANNIVERSARY: Old friends meet up as part of host of events to mark diamond year.Byline: By Amy Harris CELEBRATIONS are being held to mark the 60th anniversary of a Coventry church. Radford & Holbrooks Methodist Church, in Beake Avenue, Radford, has organised a host of events for 2008 to commemorate com·mem·o·rate tr.v. com·mem·o·rat·ed, com·mem·o·rat·ing, com·mem·o·rates 1. To honor the memory of with a ceremony. See Synonyms at observe. 2. To serve as a memorial to. its diamond year. They include concerts, parties and a meal which is being held tomorrow for members past and present to mark the church's actual birthday, which was on May 1, 1948. On that date an ex-army hut opened on the site where the church stands today. Services were held there until another church was built and opened in 1961. It has been extended and improved but still stands today. Minister, the Rev David Hunter David Hunter (July 21 1802 – February 2 1886) was a Union general in the American Civil War. He achieved fame by his unauthorized 1862 order (immediately rescinded) emancipating slaves in three Southern states and as the president of the military commission trying the , said: "As we celebrate our 60th anniversary we are grateful for all that those 60 years has brought to us and our community and we look forward to our continuing worship of God and service of the people." The church holds weekly Sunday services and a Sunday school Sunday school, institution for instruction in religion and morals, usually conducted in churches as part of the church organization but sometimes maintained by other religious or philanthropic bodies. In England during the 18th cent. and is also home to a variety of community groups including a playgroup playgroup Noun a regular meeting of infants for supervised creative play playgroup n → jardín m de infancia playgroup play n , dancing group and a girls brigade - which first opened in 1950. Church steward Christine Moore has attended the church for more than 40 years and has seen many changes. Christine, of Dickens Road, Keresley, said: "When we used to hold the Sunday school we had about 60 youngsters but times have changed and we are down to a handful of youngsters. "But one of the good changes is the church and building does reach out to the community more than it did." She added: "I think it's great that it's 60 years old. It will be great to get people back together and will be nice to see old friends. "Sixty years is a real landmark for the church. We are looking forward to the next 60 years and hope they will bring as much fulfilment as we have had." As part of the celebrations, former ministers are returning to the church each month to take services. The church is also selling commemorative com·mem·o·ra·tive adj. Honoring or preserving the memory of another. n. Something that honors or preserves the memory of another. com·mem items including mugs, a tea towel and a book detailing its 60-year history, which can be bought throughout 2008. CAPTION(S): MS290408CHUR1 MILESTONE YEAR... The Rev David Hunter (left) plans the church's celebrations with (from left) Diane Blackford, Pam Bennett and Christine and George Moore. Picture: Michelle Sperry |
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