A poignant passing and a warm welcome

New Year's Eve in our parish mirrored the ending and beginning of a new year, with services to mark the closure of the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Horton, the ending of the parishes of Horton and Piddington and the new beginning of our parish of Piddington with Horton. The closure of St. Mary Magdalene is the outcome of a request to the Church Commissioners to close the church due to the prohibitive costs involved in restoring and ongoing maintenance to the fabric of the building.

Many parishioners, with special memories of the church and people who have worshipped there over the years, braved the rain to take part in the final closing service, which was held in the churchyard of St. Mary Magdalene, Horton. The service was led by our new priest, the Rev'd Beverley Hollins, who after the service, led the congregation to St. John the Baptist, Piddington. At St. John the Baptist, the Rev'd Beverley Hollins held another service to mark the start of our new parish of Piddington with Horton, which included the renewal of the baptismal vows, which reaffirms our Christian commitment.