Stuart and Pat Bate write:

We have such fond memories of a very special church where we were married 54 years ago – Northfield Methodist in Aerodrome Drive, Northmead.

The church is very special to us. Why you may ask?

Well, we were the first couple to be married in this church when it opened.

The first church service was held on May 6 and the first wedding ceremony – ours – took place on May 13, 1972.

We were both Sunday School teachers at the church at the time.The wedding ceremony between us, Stuart Michael Bate and Patricia Anne Harding, took place at 15:00 and was conducted by Reverend Ron Brauteseth with his son, Johnathan, as organist.

Fifty four years is a lifetime for a church, but especially for people.

Marriages lasting 54 years are few and far between.

Thank you Northfield Methodist Church for the significant role you played in our lives, and especially to Rev Ron, as he was affectionately known, a very special man of God, for building this church into the special place it has become.

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