DEFIANT members of a congregation belonging to a historic church facing closure are to celebrate its 138th birthday this weekend.

The congregation of St David’s Church on Croes Atti Lane, Oakenholt, will mark its birthday on Sunday with a special service for members past and present.

Organisers are hoping the celebrations will encourgage old members to attend the church on a regular basis.

Organiser Dot Massey told the Leader: “We have written to people who have been married and christened in the church over the last couple of years to invite them along for a special birthday service.

“It is 138 years to the day it was consecretated. We will not close quietly.”

The church must raise £12,000 in rent charges or its congregation will be left out in the cold.

Churchgoers will then have to travel to Flint if the village’s only church is forced to close.

The church has other events in the pipeline, including a flower arranging demonstration on Saturday followed by the viewing of photographs and memorabilia and refreshments in the hall.

On Monday there will be an evening of prize bingo from 7.30pm, while on Wednesday, June 16, magician Matt Brindle will host an evening of illusion at 7.30pm.

Mrs Massey, who is part of a large committee of organisers, said: “We’re hoping to raise as much money as we possibly can with these events. It is just continous fundraising until we reach our goal.”

Birthday celebrations on Sunday will begin at 9.30am.

Meanwhile, Saltney councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun has called for help to make the church a listed building.

He said he was in discussions with Cadw and needed photographs of the church to strengthen his argument.

“If it is a listed building they can’t demolish it even if it isn’t used anymore,” he told the  Leader.

“Anyone with old photographs of St David’s should email them to me. Let us save the church.”

Email pictures to klausarmstrong braun@ukonline.co.uk.