Today the Railway Town Baptist Church has been open as part of the Heritage Open Days (HOD) running across the town and beyond.  The sanctuary boasts wonderful displays charting the history of the church and a glorious selection of artifacts which  celebrate people and moments in time.

From the first tentative meetings in a 'Coffee Tavern' in 1882, to the completion of the building in 1884 was just two years!  Surviving fires, explosions, floods, terrorist threats (which thankfully proved unfounded) and even a global pandemic, this congregation is nothing if not tenacious and resilient.

The folk who visited today seemed to enjoy themselves (already we have some lovely feedback from one visitor) and the tiny team who put it all together should be justifiably proud of all they've achieved.

If you happen to be in the area on Saturday morning, there will be another opportunity to see it all... and I have agreed to build the Church Anniversary Service (in November) around it too!

This week in Railway Town, it is 'Heritage Open Days' when all sorts of buildings are opening their doors to show off their history. 

Our little church is joining in, and a very enthusiastic little team has taken responsibility for it all. This morning, we lifted down three battered, big, black Bibles from the pulpit, which will form part of the display.  I enjoyed opening each of them, especially this one, which includes several 'plates' or 'engravings' of scenes from the scriptures. 

There were two things especially that caught my attention...

• It was printed in Glasgow, in Albion Street, a part of the city where, for some considerable time, the local newspaper(s) was (were) printed.
• It is apparently 'self-interpreting' - I love the recognition that scripture needs to be interpreted, and I love that this is some kind of ancient AI that can interpret itself! 

I'm looking forward to seeing the completed display on Thursday, when I'll be lurking near the open baptistry to talk to anyone who happens along.

Delighted someone suggested we do this - and then made it happen!