CHILDREN have stepped back in time to celebrate the centenary of an iconic church.

The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on High Street, Connah’s Quay, has been marking its consecration with a series of thanksgiving events.

Children from Venerable Edward Morgan in Shotton entered into the spirit by wearing Edwardian costume, while in a separate event, a congregation of 200 people sang hymns from across the decades at a centenary Songs of Praise and looked back at old photographs from ceremonies at the church.

There was also a thanksgiving mass hosted by Bishop Edwin Regan of Wrexham and the Canon David Eccleshare, plus former clergymen.

Anne Thomas, chair of the parish council, told the Leader: “I have been a member of the church for 40 years and we are all part of one big family.

“You watch the children growing up in front of your eyes. They come here as babies and the next minute they are getting married.

“It is a beautiful church which has been really well maintained. The stained glass windows are its best feature.

“Some of them have been here since the church opened in 1910.

“We have just had two new windows installed – one of St David and one of St Winefride – just in time for our thanksgiving mass.”

Attending the service was Annette Mostyn, whose descendent Mary Louise Mostyn, daughter of Sir Pyers Mostyn – the eighth baronet of Talacre – funded the building of the church after she came into her inheritance.

A plaque in her memory is mounted near the confessional.