PAST members of a Wesleyan Reform church are invited to celebrate 25 years of the church in Cradley Heath.

St James Church moved to its current site in Highgate Street when the original building at Old Hill Cross was demolished to make way for a roundabout on the bypass after 111 years.

The church was compulsory purchased by Sandwell Council in 1987 and after putting up briefly in a school and a room above a pub, services were held in a portable building on the Highgate Street site until the new church opened on March 17 1990.

Church secretary and treasurer Sue Haggart said past members, Sunday School scholars and friends were invited to the 25th anniversary celebration service on Sunday March 15.

Rev Eric Small, who led the church during the time it was without a building and officiated at the opening of the new church, will lead the service, making a special journey from his home in Llandudno where he moved after retiring.

The service, at 6pm, will be followed by refreshments.

Mrs Haggart added: “A warm welcome awaits all who would like to join us and we look forward to seeing you there.”