Andover Community Church, which changed its name this year from Andover Baptist Church, celebrated its 200th anniversary on Sunday, June 30, with Victorian festivities and a community photography contest.
Martha Young won the junior (U11) competition for her photo of the Methodist Church on the River Anton. Josh Annor won the U17 competition for his twilight photograph on a road. Simon Peter Green won the adult category for his picture of a lady on Andover High Street.
Communications director Chris Choules said they were "really pleased to put on something with the community and for the community", adding that "we love being able to bless people, it fits into our vision of blessing the town."
READ MORE: Andover Baptist Church celebrates 200 years with new name
The Church was founded in 1824 by a group of 11 Christians who moved from Whitchurch Baptist Church with the goal of building a community of faith in Andover.
Now located on Charlton Street opposite the Polly pub, the Church welcomed over 300 people to celebrate its roots and support entrants to the competition.
Speaking about the Church’s involvement in the community, Mr Choules has previously said: “God’s invitation to a life full of love, purpose, and adventure is open to everyone and we are constantly seeking ways to remove barriers for people to discover all that God has for them.”
The celebration saw old ministers, friends of the Church, families, and first-timers join in with Victorian-inspired games, such as stick and hoop, a homage to the Church’s early roots.
The ice cream and waffle van and the Victorian-propped Photobooth added to what Mr Choules described as a "really good vibe" with "tons of people and families."
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