A LOYAL servant at a Kidderminster church will celebrate the centenary of its consecration by receiving a papal accolade.

Albert Barr will be presented with the papal medal, Bene Merenti, which means For Good Service, at a thanksgiving mass at St Ambrose RC Church on Tuesday. Albert Barr with the papal medal he will be presented with on Tuesday at St Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster.

The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, will present the medal on behalf of Pope John Paul II during the celebration, which starts at 7.30pm.

Mr Barr, 70, of Clarence Street, has put in some 35 years sterling service to the church since he converted to the Catholic faith.

He has prepared the Birmingham Road church and altar for services, weddings and funerals through the years.

He said: "I came wandering into the church some time ago, gradually became more involved, and have been here ever since.

"It is a tremendous honour and means a lot to me - it is totally unexpected.

"My wife Elizabeth will be at the service and hopefully some friends too!"

Parish priest Father Douglas Lamb paid tribute to Mr Barr's work.

He said: "He is totally unassuming and would be the last person to put himself forward.

"This medal is certainly not given lightly. Albert has worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the parish and the medal is a reward for his loyalty and dedication."

Tuesday's celebration marks 100 years since the Bishop of Birmingham Dr Edward Isley consecrated the church.

Fr Lamb said: "Everyone is welcome to the celebrate the centenary of the consecration and Albert's award.

"It would be nice to see a full church. Many former parishioners have been invited and we hope to see many there."

He added: "The church has undergone many changes since its consecration, some additions and a few sad diminishments.

"However, we are very proud of it and we know how much loved it is by so many."