THE FIRST vicar of the Victorian church in Sheet will be leading a service there to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church on the green.

Events co-ordinator for the anniversary year Linda Clist said: “There’s not many Victorian churches whose first ever vicar is able to hold a service 150 years after it opened.”

St Mary Magdalen was built in 1868 as a daughter church to St Peter’s in Petersfield, on land by Sheet green donated by the Bonham-Carter family of Adhurst.

Linda added: “It wasn’t until it became a parish church in its own right about 20 years ago that the curate, then Peter Ingrams, became its first ever vicar, and he will be leading the service on Sunday, July 1.”

After the open air service, there will be a party along Village Street and in the grounds of Sheet House, just off the street.

Then until Saturday, July 7, there will be an exhibition of the church’s history.

Exhibition organiser Sylvia Bovington is hoping to uncover families with historical links to the church.

She said: “The baptism and marriage records will be available on computer at certain times, and we would love visitors to see their family name in the records

“Someone will be on hand to help, and we are hoping to find the oldest living person who was married or baptised in the church.”

Linda added: “The service with Peter and the exhibition will be the highlight of the celebrations, but the anniversary will be a background theme throughout the year.”

It is also hoped to invite 150 parish residents who don’t normally go to church to a service and that worshippers will carry out 150 acts of kindness.

Church goers are also being asked to write 150-word articles with the theme of ‘Me and my Faith,’ as souvenirs of the year.

For details, or if you were married or baptised in the church, call Sylvia on 01730 262590 or e-mail: sylvia.bov [email protected]