FRIENDLY and thriving: what better way to describe Heaton Park Methodist Church as it celebrates its 75th anniversary?

Visitors travelled from far and near to help members enjoy a commemorative lunch and afternoon service on Sunday (Nov 16).

The current building, in Bury Old Road, was built in 1928 but there has been a place of Methodist worship at the site since the end of the 19th century.

The church building has seen some internal changes over the years and members are looking forward to the next project, which will see the school rooms at the rear of the church refurbished.

Many organisations have benefited from using the church, such as Guides and Scouts, and these still meet there today.

Most people will remember the plays and pantomimes performed at the church, although the curtain fell on the shows in the late 1970s.

Flower festivals were also a popular event, especially during the 1980s, and the church Sunday school is still flourishing.

Hundreds of people have taken part in the many Whit walks as Heaton Park joined other churches in the Prestwich Council of Churches.

One lifelong member who has seen most of these events is John Potter, of Mount Road, Prestwich, who compiled a pictorial history of the church for visitors to view.

Mr Potter (65) has been a member of Heaton Park since the mid-1940s and later became a lay preacher in 1963.

Mr Potter said: "Years ago we had a lot more social events but these days there is more of a balance between the secular and religious. I think the most significant thing is that we would not be where we are today without the good stewardship of the building. It has been looked after very well and we are thankful for the legacy and example these people have given us."

Church minister, Rev Dave Hall, said: "We are not only celebrating the past but seeing God at work among us now, healing and changing lives, renewing our worship and bringing blessing to our community through our living Lord Jesus: the future's looking good!"

Already planned for the future is a concert by the Philharmonic Choir of Manchester on December 16 and a coffee morning and bring-and-buy sale tomorrow (November 22).

The sale will be held in the school rooms, in Bedford Street, from 10.30am to 2.30pm and will feature seasonal fancy goods.

Proceeds will go to the church refurbishment fund.