A WEEKEND of celebration is planned to mark the 80th anniversary of Verwood Road Evangelical Chapel.

The church will be open from 2pm tomorrow for people to pop in and view a presentation on the history of the church.

There will also be a buffet meal at 5pm followed by music and ministry from Peter and Mary Reynolds, who were present at the church’s anniversary in 2008. Both trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and have performed as guest soloists with many Welsh choirs.

Peter is also a Baptist Pastor and will lead services at the church at 10.30am and 6.30pm on Sunday.

When the Verwood Road Evangelical Chapel first opened, there were only around 100 homes in the village. It has been housed in three different buildings, the last of which was built in 1976.

A building fund was set up to pay for a new home and £16,210.25 was raised within the Fellowship and £8,407.16 from outside. The new brick church was built by builder Peter Heckford of Wimborne.

The current pastor Jeremy Andrews joined in 2002 after seeing the role advertised in an Evangelical magazine and the church is now expanding in all areas, particularly among children and young people.

The church now hosts a wide range of meetings and activities, including bible study groups, parent and toddler sessions, coffee mornings and special sessions for youngsters aged between five and 14.