THE current members at Raglan Baptist Church were excited to host a weekend of celebrations on 18th and 19th August as the congregation celebrated 200 years of existence in the village with a host of friends from far and wide.

The chapel, which has long been associated with work among the youth of the area, held a celebration service at 2.30pm on Saturday 18th August with the Revd Gareth Evans of Ararat, Cardiff, church moderator Revd Howard Jones and a history of the chapel from Mel Knight, former church secretary. A number of past leaders and their descendants, including a great granddaughter of a minister who served in the Victorian era, also attended! The celebratory cake was cut by the Revd Derek Rhapps and his wife, Elaine. Revd Rhapps was minister at Raglan from 1976 to 1983.

A comprehensive history booklet has been produced to accompany the occasion. Edited by Brinley Morgan, the book brings together much work done in past decades to explain the detailed history of the congregation during the last two hundred years. Copies are available from the chapel at £5 each.

The service was followed by high tea and then at 6.30pm a Praise and Worship service was held with a special guest; April Shipton of Ross Baptist Church. Celebrations continued into Sunday when the usual Sunday service was led by returning mission workers from Nepal, Ian and Cynthia Chadwell and family.

The church is currently without a minister but regular services are held by visiting ministers, speakers and the leadership team. Communion services are held on the third Sunday of the month and all-age services on the fourth Sunday. Sunday School is available on the first three Sundays of the month and there are a broad range of children‚ activities in the week.