SPECIAL celebrations were held to mark the 25th anniversary of the Runcorn parish of Hallwood.

Christians who worship at Bethesda Church, Palace Fields, St Mark's, Beechwood and Beechwood West School thanked God for a quarter of a century of shared fellowship.

"The venture began when the old Bethesda Church was demolished to make way for the bus station in the Old Town," recalled parishioner Penny Hennessey.

A new site in Palace Fields was offered to the congregation after a decision was taken to combine with other Christian denominations in the New Town.

Worship began in Palace Fields School and by September 1976 the new building in Lapwing Grove was ready.

Shared worship and activities continued and by 1980, official arrangements for the local ecumenical parish of Hallwood were confirmed.

The new St Mark's Church was consecrated in October 1981 and the ecumenical congregation that had been meeting at Beechwood West Community Centre was transferred.

Monthly family services in Beechwood West School were established in 1990 and weekly services followed five years later.

"There is plenty to celebrate," said Penny. "Members of the parish would be delighted to see old friends and new."

A barn dance was held at Beechwood West School last Friday, followed by a celebration service at Bethesda on Sunday.