MORE than two hundred people attended a special Christmas carol service at a historic Colchester church. 

St Leonard’s at the Hythe’s annual Christmas Carol Service saw bell ringing, nativity readings, and refreshments.

With about 150 people attending last year’s service, this year’s event saw more than 200 people attending the church.

Joy Hopkinson thanked all for coming as well as all the members of St Stephen’s Church, Wimpole Methodist Church, the children’s choir and all the volunteers who made sure the event was a complete success.

St Leonard’s is a ‘Redundant Church’, meaning that it is open weekly to the public on a Tuesday at 12pm to 2pm as well as being open for events such as carol services.

Gazette: Packed - The historic church was full of peoplePacked - The historic church was full of people (Image: Newsquest)

Joy explained how important the carol service was for raising money because as a redundant church, there are no parishioners to pay for its upkeep.

Visitors were able to drink hot mulled wine, tea, coffee, mince pies and tasty shortbread stars, being able to donate either by cash or by card with young and old, families, children, and university students in attendance.

Gazette: Community - With plenty of carol supplements all joined in with the singingCommunity - With plenty of carol supplements all joined in with the singing (Image: Newsquest)

St Leonard’s is a church steeped with history – its original 13th century building was altered in the 15th century with many original medieval features remaining – and was used by Royalists as a place of refuge during The Siege of Colchester in the Civil War.

Reverend Belinda of St Stephen’s Church said the event “was absolutely amazing” and revealed she plans to do a prayer meeting “at 4pm on every month with five Sunday” meaning more people can experience the Church.

Gazette: Left - St Leonard's was full of people in both the left and right-hand side pewsLeft - St Leonard's was full of people in both the left and right-hand side pews (Image: Newsquest)

In between traditional carols hymns, readings from the nativity story were read aloud with some carols being sung back-to-back, creating a powerful atmosphere of calm, community, and Christmas spirit.  

Peter, one of the 'Friends of St Leonard at-the-Hythe', explained how this was his fourth carol service with this being by far his biggest yet, particularly considering the pandemic. 

He said it was a "wonderful night" and great to see the Church so loved.