Past and present members filled the Fryerns Baptist Church in Basildon as it celebrated its 50th birthday.
The church, in Vernons Walk, was founded on January 1, 1953, when Pastor Charles Phillimore and its four founding members witnessed the completion of the main building in a small bungalow.
The school hall was added in 1966 and the rectory was erected next to the church in 1969.
A meeting to celebrate the golden jubilee was chaired by Peter Day from Southport, who was a minister at the church from 1969 to 1976.
Douglas Greenham, a member and minister of the church from 1996 to 1999, opened the meeting with prayer.A brief history of the church was provided by Norman Foster, who was minister and moderator of the church from 2000 to 2002.
Current minister Mark Drury gave a report on the church today, its vision for the future and how the church was in good heart and experiencing much encouragement.
Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003
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