Darwen Edna's 98 years of parish worship

Edna Emery was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in the town and was married there and still worshipping in the building when it became St Peter's 40 years ago.

Now the Diocese of Blackburn is asking in the latest issue of its magazine 'The See' if there is anyone else who can beat her record of continuous attendance in the same parish.

Mrs Emery recently celebrated the 190th anniversary of the St Peter's building and Parish Church of Darwen with Bishop of Burnley The Rt Rev Philip North who posed the question ‘who has been a member of the same church in Lancashire for longest?'

The celebration was attended by clergy and parishioners past and present.

A Diocesan spokesman said: "Known for the first 150 years of its existence as Holy Trinity Church, the church became St Peter’s four decades ago when two other local churches of a similar 19th century vintage, St John’s and St George’s, were closed and the three parishes united.

"Edna who was born in 1920, was baptised at the church and married there.

"She and her late husband Tommy, as well as their son Michael, have served the church over many decades and to this day Edna continues to attend for worship and other events when she can.

"This means Edna has been a member of St Peter’s for just over half of the total number of years the building has stood proudly in Darwen!

"It was Edna’s longevity at St Peter’s from infancy until today, nearly a century later, that prompted the question 'Has anyone been at the same church for longer?'

"Anyone who thinks they have been a member for longer, or knows someone who may have been, should email thesee@blackburn.anglican.org

The Rt Rev. North said: "Edna is a wonderful person who has served her parish all her life and is still faithfully attending services even now at the age of nearly 99.

"It was a pleasure to meet her and to hear about how she and her family have made a difference in the life of St Peter's in Darwen over such a long time."