Congregation members both past and present came together to mark a church’s patronal festival and its 110th anniversary last weekend.

Ilford Recorder: A general view of St John's Seven Kings which is celebrating its 110th Anniversary over its Patronal Festival (photo: Arnaud Stephenson)A general view of St John's Seven Kings which is celebrating its 110th Anniversary over its Patronal Festival (photo: Arnaud Stephenson) (Image: Archant)

St John’s the Evangelist church, in St John’s Road, Seven Kings, celebrated the landmark occasions with a choral evensong on Saturday and a special festival service the following day.

Organisers, who had prepared for the weekend for three months beforehand, set up a photo exhibition and a “bring and share lunch” for those present.

Rev Jonathan Evens said: “It was kind of inspirational - it was really great. “We had to do a lot of liaising with people but it was well worth all the organisation to get people back.

“Having former members there was excellent because they talked about how being at St John’s had impacted on their Christian life.”

Revs John and Rosemary Enever, the former curate who is now vicar at St Andrews Church, The Drive, Ilford, both returned for the weekend.

Michael Blackstaff, a former server at St John’s, wrote a reminiscence which said: “St John’s was, and is, a very special place.

“I was a bit short on blood relations, but very rich in adoptive ones, and came to regard [St John’s] and its many good people as part of my family.

“I shall always feel greatly privileged to have been welcomed into its loving embrace.”

Mr Evens added it is important to remember “what God is doing in the here and now” not just in the past, too.

A photography display, compiled by St John’s magazine editor Lester Amann, was also available, showing archive pictures with information about the church’s history.

The display focused particularly on when the church developed its interior.

“We had great singing and wonderful music - it was a special service,” said Mr Evens.