A SPECIAL service will take place next week to celebrate the silver jubilee of the St Joseph's Church in Purewell.

The celebration mass will be held on Monday March 19 at 7pm, with a social afterwards.

The date is also St Joseph's Day.

Members are asked to send any photos of special events held at the church over the years for a special display.

The church in Purewell was designed 25 years ago by Columba Cook to cater for the spiritual needs of 400 regular worshippers.

Since then, hundreds of families have used the church each week.

Father John Cooke of St Joseph's and Holy Redeemer in Highcliffe said: "I didn't imagine when acting as a master of ceremonies for Bishop Crispian Hollis for the opening of the new church 25 years ago that I'd be back at St Joseph's Christchurch to be the new priest.

"All we strive to do is for the glory of God and this relatively modern church, with the addition of a well-used, well loved parish centre, stands us in great stead for our mission.

"We are proud that in the old original St Joseph's Church we are able to offer a home to the Christchurch Foodbank, so that even in its autumn years, the old church is a sign of the Gospel of Christ as we, and our local church communities, serve our brothers and sisters in need."

The current building replaced St Catherine's Chapel in Fairmile and the old church on the Purewell site.

The former Purewell church now houses the food bank and bric a brac sales. It opened more than 150 years ago in 1866 and was built on the site of three cottages, one of which had a large orchard.

Prior to this, Catholics had attended the chapel at Burton Green.

You can send any photos to icsjoffice@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.