A BINGLEY church is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its building with a host of events.

Bingley United Reformed Church will mark the bicentenary of its building in Dryden Street in style with a number of musical performances, worship and historical talks.

The church building opened its doors for worship on April 29, 1818, but the church has been worshipping in Bingley since at least 1667.

It started in Marley Hall and then moved to Chapel Lane in Bingley before Dryden Street 200 years ago. The building cost £1,200 at the time.

Ray Gregory, an elder at Bingley United Reformed Church, said: “It is important for us to mark the bicentenary.

“We have been in this area for a good amount of time and a good number of people have worked hard to make sure the church continues.

“We have about 50 people worshipping at the church on a Sunday. We have a limited number of spaces in the church.”

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) paid tribute to Bingley United Reformed Church’s longevity and its continued key role in the town.

He said: “It’s a hidden gem in Bingley. It has completed 200 years there and is still going strong.

“The church is an integral part of the community. The church’s prolonged celebration will hopefully highlight that it is still going strong.

“There are a number of churches which play a key role in Bingley.”

The church’s celebrations start on Wednesday, March 28, with a talk by historian Ian Dewhirst called ‘Bingley Life in 1818’. Entrance is free, by ticket only.

On Saturday, April 28, ladies’ choir Opus 44 will be giving a concert and on Thursday, June 7, theatre group Riding Lights will perform, both at the church.

For tickets for all three events, which all start at 7.30pm, call Ian Robinson, one of the church’s elders, on 01274 510808.

An anniversary service will be given by the Reverend Robert Waddington on Sunday, April 29, from 10.30am.

Thursday, March 1, will be the first of a series of Lent Bible studies on Mark’s Gospel. A total of 12,072 copies of Mark’s Gospel were distributed to every home in the BD16 area, including Bingley, Eldwick and Harden, earlier this month. The leaflets include information about Bingley United Reformed and other churches in the town.