A HISTORIC occasion was shared by members of Radcliffe United Reformed Church on Saturday (Aug 11) when the foundation stone was laid for its new £300,000 church.
And performing the official ceremony was Mrs Joyce Barker, the widow of Mr Frank Barker who was minister of the Lord Street church from 1974 to 1987.
Beforehand, the faithful attended a special service in the 153-year-old church's current building, also on Lord Street, conducted by the Rev Anne Stokes.
It is hoped the new church will be completed and ready for use by this Christmas.
"It's all very exciting," said Mrs Stokes. "After so long fund-raising and applying for grants it was marvellous for us to actually see bricks and mortar at last."
The new building will, of course, be used primarily for worship, but the church also hopes to open it up for a number of community-based activities such as its youth group and pre-school club.
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