A WEAR Valley community will celebrate the centenary of its local church next week.

Our Lady and St Thomas RC Church in Willington was opened on July 5, 1905, and is still regularly used by the town's churchgoers.

They have organised a host of events to mark the occasion, including a centenary Mass, a photographic exhibition and an Irish night.

It was Father Aloysius Hosten, pictured right, the original parish priest who opened the church, as well as the nearby St Thomas RC School.

The priest, originally from Belgium, wanted to brighten up the town, which in those days was a mining community.

"When he came here, he was dismayed and distressed at the darkness of the village," said Jim Connor, who, with his wife, Mary, has created a comprehensive selection of images of the church and its people going on display at the church today.

"When he built his church, he said: 'this is going to be light for my people, I want it to be light'. So that is why the church is full of windows."

The church has changed little over the years, with the most noticeable difference being the relocation of altar railings - enforced by the Second Vatican several years ago.

However, Mrs Connor admitted that some things have changed since the bygone days when the church regularly held processions, reading clubs and choir practise.

"It was a different time," she said. "There's not the same community spirit as there was, but the church is well used still."

Several events are being held to commemorate the role the church has played over the past 100 years.