Members of Abbey Baptist Church on the steps singing carols Phil Creighton
The sound of Christmas filled Reading’s historic Abbey Quarter as a church took to the doorsteps to sing carols to its neighbours, ahead of a busy weekend of festive concerts and services.
Members of Abbey Baptist Church in Abbey Square gathered on the church’s steps over the lunchtime of Tuesday, December 16, to serenade workers and shoppers as they passed by on their breaks.
They sang a host of favourite Christmas carols and gave away chocolates, spreading some Christmas cheer ahead of two key carol events this weekend.
On Saturday, the historic church – one of the oldest Baptist churches in the country – invites people to join in with others from Churches Together in Reading (CTR) and the Reading Central Salvation Army Band for carol singing in Broad Street.
The singing, on December 20, starts from noon and will last for around an hour. The Band will be near the entrance of Marks & Spencer.
Michael Penny, chair of CTR, said: “Come and join us – everyone is welcome. The more the merrier!”
The event is preceeded by more carols – members of nearby Carey Baptist Church will be singing from 10am.
Abbey Baptist Church is also inviting people to come and sing carols at a special candlelit event, which will be held on Sunday, December 21 from 6.30pm. It includes traditional and favourite carols and will be followed by refreshments.
Next year, Abbey marks its 375th birthday and a series of special events are planned.
For more details, log on to Abbey’s website.
