MEMBERS of the congregation put their best feet forward to celebrate 200 years of their church in Silver Street, Taunton.

A group of 15 Baptists from the county town attended a morning service in Wellington – and walked home afterwards, along with two of their hosts, in time for their evening service.

Links between the two churches go back to before the Taunton one was built, as many worshippers used to walk the seven miles to Wellington on Sundays before their own church opened in 1814.

Walk organiser Tony Shaw, who organised last weekend’s walk, said: “It was good to be reminded of the early days and the commitment of ordinary people to get to church.

“We were grateful to the Wellington congregation for welcoming us to their service and for encouraging us in all that we do in the Taunton Church.”

Taunton Baptists are celebrating the 200th anniversary with a public exhibition at the church from next Tuesday until October 5, a dramatic and musical pageant illustrating the history of the church on Saturday, September 27 and an anniversary service at 10.30am on Sunday, October 5.