A CHURCH in Penarth has officially marked the building's 150th anniversary.

St Augustine's Church held two special events recently to celebrate the occasion.

On Sunday, September 11, exactly 150 years after the consecration of the new church in 1866, a large congregation gathered for a service at which the Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, preached.

The service began with a account written by the Revd Mark Jones of the background to the building of the church and of the various incidents that beset it initially including a fire and an unfortunate accident to one of the workers.

William Butterfield is believed to be behind its construction, and his account was read by Chris Williams, who was dressed in Victorian morning coat and top hat.

There was a performance of Be Still, My Soul which was composed by the organist and choirmaster, Robert Court, and dedicated to Archbishop Barry Morgan as he approaches his retirement in January.

The bell ringers created a special quarter peal using a method named Penarth Surprise Major.

Visitors included Deputy Lieutenant Neil Pugh, the mayor of Penarth, councillor Mike Cuddy and his wife Lindsay, Stephen Doughty MP and Lady Clarissa Eggleston, great-great- great granddaughter of Harriet Windsor-Clive the13th Baroness Windsor who commissioned and paid for the church originally.

Unlike the service 150 years ago, when the weather was so appalling the congregation had to struggle to reach St Augustine’s in high winds and torrential rain, the anniversary service took place on a sunny day.

On September 17, the Mothers’ Union and friends welcomed children, parents and some grandparents to a party to wish St Augustine’s a happy birthday.

The party took place in the church and children of all ages played games, explored the church, listened to Isabella, Jacob and Leo Adams play on the piano, violin and French horn and learn a little about baptism from the Revd Mark Jones.