BALLOONS, bunting and a barn dance helped people to celebrate Redhill Baptist Church's 150th anniversary at the weekend.
The church, founded by Victorian Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon in 1864, marked the milestone with a lively evening party on Saturday and a packed service on Sunday morning.
It first opened in its original building in London Road, before moving to Hatchlands Road in 1961.
Five years ago, £1.8 million was spent on remodelling the church – a project commended by the Reigate Society.
Mayor of Reigate and Banstead Councillor David Pay and his wife Barbara attended the celebrations, as well as former church members.
But it was the church's oldest members, Ted and Eunice Hatt, who were the guests of honour. Despite being in their 90s and in residential care, the couple are still members of the church after 80 years and 76 years respectively.
John Capon, one of the church's elders who led the service, said: "All three of the church's pastors took part in the service.
"Against a backdrop of giant figures proclaiming '150 years young' the Rev Dr James Collins preached the sermon, while the Rev Roberta Day, assistant pastor, recognising the wide diversity of ethnic backgrounds of members of the church – 22 nationalities at the last count – led the congregation in the Lord's Prayer, inviting those present to say the words in their mother tongue.
"The church's youth pastor, Emily Irving, led the special celebration for the many children present which took place in the upstairs hall.
"On their return to the main service she introduced a giant birthday card the children had produced with messages of greetings to the church."
Earlier in the service Robert Ashurst, who served in the church's leadership team for 30 years before retiring, led a prayer of thanksgiving, following a presentation of the church's 150-year history.
The service ended with a performance of Happy Birthday led by the church's gospel choir, and Mr Hatt blew out the candles on a specially decorated cake.
