A COMMUNITY is being invited to join a year of celebrations to mark the centenary of its last remaining church.

Ferryhill Baptist Church, in the town's Dean Bank area, will hold events next year commemorating its 100th anniversary.

In the early 20th Century, hundreds of terrace houses were built in Dean Bank for mining families working at Dean and Chapter Colliery.

Among them, churches were built to provide venues for worship and socialising.

Plans for the Baptist church had initially included a school room and minister's house, but due to a lack of funds the development was downsized and the original Sunday School was converted to a church.

In 1908 the building was completed - at a cost of £1,170 - and an opening ceremony held on October 20, 1908.

While other churches around Dean Bank Baptist Church have closed in recent times, the Baptist church still has a small but loyal congregation for services.

It also hosts community events including drop-in sessions on Tuesdays, from 10am to 3.30pm, and a bible study group on Thursdays, at 6pm.

The most recent pastor, the Reverend Ray Richardson, is acting as moderator while the congregation awaits the appointment of a new minister. He hopes the centenary will be an opportunity to reflect on the church's history and to look to the future by building on recent improvements, including the regeneration of its grounds by young people and environmental trust Groundwork.

Mr Richardson said: "It is important to mark such a milestone, being here for 100 years and still part of the community is very special.

"The church centenary is a community event, not just a Christian occasion."

Commemorative items such as tea towels will be available and anniversary events will include: ● January 19, 7pm - Ferryhill Town Band concert; ● May 17, 7pm - A spring concert by Stockton Baptist Tabernacle; ● June 21 and 22 - Flower festival; ● September 20, 7pm - Durham Police Band harvest concert; ● October 18, 7pm - 100 years celebration with the Reverend Dr Keith Clements.

Church secretary, Pamela Johnson, said: "It will be a big party for people connected to the church, but we also want other members of the community to celebrate with us and hopefully they will come back in the future."