By Revd. Richard Walker

Vicar of St. John’s Church, Yeadon

ST JOHN’S Church, Yeadon celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. When it was consecrated for worship in 1844, it stood almost alone in the Henshaw area of Yeadon. But for a few houses it was surrounded by fields, clearly visible to those in the vicinity.

Today, the parish church of Yeadon is largely hidden behind the houses, businesses, pubs and shops that have sprung up since that time and yet its work continues. It is the meeting place for those who value Anglican forms of worship and ministry; its clergy and lay volunteers serve the needs of the community through a range of church run activities; and its buildings are the focal point for many local groups and events. Time has moved on, society has changed, and yet the eternal gospel continues to exert its influence for good on individuals and communities. So, there is much for which we can be thankful.

We would like to invite everyone to join in our celebrations. On Saturday 13th July, St John’s is holding a community fun day from 10am to 4pm. With the help of Aireborough Historical Society and others, there will be a large display of local photos and memorabilia on the theme of “175 Years of Yeadon.” Some of our local schools have produced artwork on the same theme which will be displayed too. Outside there will be a bouncy castle, a nerf wars target, a penalty shootout and a whole range of other games for children to enjoy – most of which are free. And lovely refreshments will be available in the hall throughout the day. On Sunday 14th July, there will be a service of celebration at 10.30am, a mixture of modern and traditional worship with crèche and children’s activities. The guest speaker will be Rev Robin Gamble.

Time, as the old hymn says, is like an ever rolling stream. It brings birth and death and everything in between, but the Church exists to point us to eternal realities that bring meaning to our ever changing lives. So do take the opportunity to pay St John’s a visit on its 175th anniversary. Look at the exhibits, enjoy the fun, share in the celebrations and see whether there might be something more here for you.