THREE hundred years of community service by a popular Wotton-under-Edge church will be celebrated in fitting fashion.
A new building, funded by members of Wotton Baptist Church and built with the help of numerous volunteers, will also be opened to mark the milestone.

Comedic magician John Archer will kick-off more than a week’s worth of events beginning at the end of next month.

He has previously performed to a packed house at the church as well as at the Penn and Teller Theatre, Las Vegas, and on various prime-time television shows including CBBC’s Help, My Supply Teacher Is Magic. He will provide his unique entertainment featuring a blend of comedy, magic and the ukulele whilst also talking about his Christian faith.

Tickets for the free event on Friday, March 31, are available to collectfrom the church between 3.45pm and 7pm on February 22 and March 1.

Among a host of Another event and activities being held at the church will be the launch of the short film Don’t Conform, Be Transformed, celebrating both the historical and contemporary work at the church.

Church minister Tom Wharin said: “It’s great to be able to throw open the church doors on an occasion like this and welcome even more people from the community in.”

The new building, known as the ‘Link’, will enable the church to be more attractive for use as a venue by community groups through provision of better facilities.

In conjunction with the building’s opening, a new Alpha Course, an introduction to the Christian faith, will be launched.

On Sunday, April 2, as the anniversary celebrations continue, a special Sunday service led by director of mission (England) at the Evangelical alliance of the UK Gavin Calver will take place at 10.30am.

Other events which will take place over the week of celebrations will include:

  • Saturday, April 1, at 2pm, The History of Wotton Baptists – a lecture with local Baptist and amateur historian David Wilson;
  • Sunday, April 2. 12.30pm, the official opening of the Link, including buffet lunch (invitation only). 6.30pm, Be Transformed youth worship event with Gavin Calver;
  • Monday, April 3, from 3pm until 7pm, church open day – an opportunity to look around the new building and find out about upcoming events at the church;
  • Wednesday, April 5, 7.30pm until 9pm, Be Transformed Alpha evening;
  • Saturday, April 8, from 11am until 5pm, church open day.

For more information about the church’s 300th anniversary celebrations visit wottonbaptist.org.uk.