A DARLINGTON church will celebrate its centenary this month.

The Baptist Tabernacle building, in Corporation Road, will celebrate 100 years of worship over the weekend of November 26 and 27, with a concert by gospel singer Paul Wheater on the Saturday at 7pm.

Services will also take place at 10.30am and 6pm on the Sunday. All are welcome at the events.

The Baptists of Grange Road established a Mission Hall in Corporation Road in 1897.

The congregation soon outgrew the hall and in 1904 members of the Corporation Road church formed a separate fellowship from Grange Road.

The foundation stone for the Tabernacle building was laid on November 1, 1904, and the first service was held on November 21.

The Baptist Mission Hall, or Tin Hut as it was commonly called, stood alongside the Tabernacle until 1990 when it was replaced by a church centre.

The Baptist church centre is now used by the community for weekly events, including SureStart groups, a toddler group, dance classes, luncheon club and Bible studies.