PARISHIONERS at Holly Mount United Reformed Church in Malvern are celebrating the building's 125th anniversary.

The occasion is being marked by a series of events, including open days, gift days, concerts and special services in the church and hall.

The church was built over a year and completed in 1876, the realisation of a vision by the Rev Anthony Clarke Gill.

Mr Gill had arrived in Malvern, then an emerging spa town, from Ingatestone in Essex, and believed that Congregationalism could have a great part to play in the growing town.

After a great deal of difficulty, he secured a site for £1,100 and the foundation stone was laid on September 29, 1875 by Rowley Hill, MP for Worcester.

Holly Mount played an important part in feeding over 10,000 British, French, Polish, Belgian and American soldiers at a canteen in the hall during the Second World War.

In 1971, the Church Meeting voted unanimously in favour of the proposed United Reformed Church, to be formed by the union of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches.

The church has never had a parish in the local sense. It has drawn its members from as far away as Worcester, Ledbury, Colwall and the fringes of Malvern, as well as the town itself. However, it has been involved with the local community, most recently with the Lyttelton Well.

On Saturday, June 9, the church will be welcoming visitors to an open day and gift day from 10am to 1pm, displaying photographs and other items from the archives, as well as interesting hobbies. In the hall, there will be cake, plant and bric-a-brac stalls, as well as various competitions for adults and children. Tea and coffee will also be served.

The following day (June 10), the 11am service will be conducted by Rev Elizabeth Welch, Moderator of West Midlands Province and Moderator Elect of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church. Later this month, the Colwall Singers will be in concert at the church, on June 19 at 8pm.