This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 10 April 2017. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
THE Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, began celebrations at St Sebastian's Church on Pentecost Sunday as he rang the bell in the church's new bell tower, at the beginning of their 150th Anniversary Service.
Pentecost is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the church and in 2014 the festival came 150 years after the church's foundation stone was laid on 31st May 1864.
Bishop Andrew enjoying the celebrations Speaking about how and why the church was founded, Bishop Andrew said: "Your history is of a parish, founded on Jesus, deliberately on and at the edge, formed for mission, to celebrate passion and courage. " St Sebastian's is the Parish Church of Wokingham Without, which was once a corner of Windsor Great Forest, where people known as Broomdashers lived and worked, making brooms in the local woodland. Major and Mrs Sawyer founded St Sebastian's Mission here, which evolved into the church we know today.
Now serving a parish of around 9,000 people, St Sebastian's is a vibrant community of faith, with members spanning the generations. On the site there is now a Primary School, Parish Centre and Pre-School.
As a church they offer a variety of services and worship styles, including contemporary worship and traditional hymns. The Revd Andrew Marsden, the Vicar, says: "St Sebastian's Church was founded in order to bring the love of Jesus to the local community, and we hope to do the same today. "The Revd David McLeod, Associate Minister, says: "As a church family, celebrating our 150th birthday, we are looking at how we can serve the needs of the local community both now and for many years to come".
A service for the whole community, celebrating the consecration of the church in December 1864, will be held on Sunday 7 December 2014.
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