Visitors from all over Britain and overseas joined with local Baptists to mark the 200th anniversary of Mansfield Baptist Church.

During the celebration, schoolchildren and visitors viewed photographs and artefacts on display to mark the anniversary.

A 20-section timeline recorded many of the major events of the Rosemary Street church and its Christian witness in the community.

Special events and services took place before the main service of celebration and thanksgiving, led by the Rev Diane Tidball, leader of the East Midlands Baptist Association.

After a bring and share lunch, a large congregation joined an open-air Songs Of Praise, led by Pleasley Colliery Welfare Brass Band and conducted by Geoff Benson. The Rev Anne Davies, one of 18 former ministers, led the service.

In the previous weeks, there were special worldwide mission services, led by the Rev David Kerrigan, director of BMS World Mission, and a 200 years of praise service led by the church’s music group

A special history and recipe book have been printed to mark the milestone.