Christ the King Church in Beaumont Leys recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of dedication with a service led by the Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough.
The congregation were joined by Fr Terence Byron, the first Vicar of Beaumont Leys, who started the church in his house more than four decades ago and who oversaw the building of the church centre.
The service, which took place on Sunday 5 October, included a rededication of the building and people and a renewal to service, and was followed by lunch with a fabulous celebration cake made by the Revd Stuart Voce.
Christ the King began life as an ecumenical church in partnership with the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Church, before becoming solely Church of England. It was merged with the neighbouring parish of Stocking Farm (St Luke’s) in 2014.
The church stands in the vicinity of the Beaumont Leys shopping centre and has strong links with the local community, including the shopping centre. It also runs a food hub which not only serves the local community but resources the wider food hub network across the city.
Reflecting on the occasion, the Revd Rob Hinsley, Vicar of the parish, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome both Fr Terrence and Bishop Saju to celebrate and give thanks for the last 40 years of Christ the King and to dedicate ourselves to the future.
"I am proud that Christ the King has always been in the heart of the community, serving the physical and spiritual needs of the community. We look forward to the future, trusting in God as to where we are led."
