Bicentennial celebrations continued at Pisgah Baptist Church, Cresswell Quay with a flower festival and display of memorabilia culminating in a Songs of Praise evening.

Once again, support for these events was tremendous. A total sum of £1,650 was raised which will be shared between Sandy Bears Children’s Bereavement Charity, MS Hope Centre and Pisgah Chapel.

As visitors approached the chapel last week they were greeted with a walkway of pots and gates decorated with knitted and crocheted stems and flowers. There was also a very colourful display made by the Sunday school depicting members and what they enjoyed about coming to Sunday school.

The church was decorated with various displays depicting hymns. These were sponsored by various organisations and churches connected to Pisgah. The hymn ‘When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound’ was sponsored by Molleston Church. Molleston Church was the first Baptist Chapel in Pembrokeshire and through the encouragement of the church in Molleston, churches were established throughout Pembrokeshire, including Pisgah.

Pisgah Church resides within the parish of Carew Community Council and they sponsored an arrangement based on the hymn ‘Crown him with many crowns’.

Cresselly Cricket Club did an arrangement based on the hymn ‘Make me a channel of your peace’. Many members of Pisgah church have played, captained and scored for the cricket club over the years and the club is often referred to as ‘the doves’.

‘Will your anchor hold’, sponsored by the nearby Cresselly Arms, had a very nautical theme. ‘Lord, the light of your love is shining’ was sponsored by Martletwy YFC, who hold their annual harvest festival at Pisgah.

Carew Wesley Methodist Church did a display based on the hymn ‘And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviours blood’. This was a very interesting display depicting the fact that John Wesley journeyed through Carew in 1761 and 101 years later the chapel was opened.

‘I watch the sunrise’ was arranged by Carew Women’s Institute and included a painting by one of their members. Members over the years have included ladies from all of the churches within Carew Parish.

St Mary’s Church Carew sponsored an arrangement based on ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah’ which was based on the colours of the Welsh flag. St Mary’s together with Carew Wesley regularly join together with Pisgah for united services.

The ladies fellowship at Pisgah created a colourful display for the hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful’ while the Sunday School arrangement was a very garden-oriented display for the hymn ‘Jesus wants me for a sunbeam’.

At the front of the chapel, there was an arrangement done by the church based on the hymn ‘The Lord is my shepherd’. In front of this was a display of nearly 130 memory roses. These roses had been purchased in memory of a loved one and were the focal point of the flower festival.

The memorabilia display featured items than spanned the past 200 years and was displayed in the Sunday school for all to browse. It covered information about past ministers, weddings, the Sunday school, ladies fellowship and various chapel events. Many enjoyed looking at the display and reminiscing about their memories of Pisgah.

Light refreshments were served upstairs in the Sunday school room - a very welcome relief in such hot conditions.

The festival and memorabilia display was then followed by a Songs of Praise evening presided by Mr Robert Scourfield. During the evening various hymns depicted in the flower arrangements were sung by a large congregation and were accompanied by a variety of musicians. Between each hymn, Robert gave some very interesting information regarding the history of Pisgah.

After two major bicentennial events this Summer, members are looking forward to a well-earned rest before the chapel’s next event in October. On Sunday, October 9, at 10.30 a family service will be taken by Rev’d Marc Owen, ministry coordinator for the Baptist Union Wales. On Friday, October 28 a performance of Marching to Zion will take place. This is a ticketed-only event and tickets will be available towards the end of September.

A huge thank you to all who attended these events and continue to support the chapel during this special year. Further information about the bicentennial celebrations at Pisgah can be found on the website www.pisgah.org.uk or on the Facebook page Pisgah200