HUNDREDS gathered at Cirencester Parish Church on Sunday to mark a special anniversary. 

Around 500 worshippers congregated at the beautiful landmark to celebrate Pentecost as well as the 2000th birthday of the church.

Pentecost is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 49th day after Easter Day which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks.

Ministers from 10 churches in the area blended traditional and contemporary styles together for the joint service. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Ministers and worshippers from across town gathered at Cirencester Parish Church to mark the landmark's 2000th birthdayMinisters and worshippers from across town gathered at Cirencester Parish Church to mark the landmark's 2000th birthday (Image: Matt Frost)

Guest speaker Emma Worrall from non-profit organisation Open Doors spoke passionately about Christians in other nations who are persecuted for their faith.

Revd Canon Graham Morris ended the service by leading the ministers out of the church and into the busy Market Place to finish with a prayer for the town. 

Matt Frost, the pastor of Cirencester Baptist Church, said: "We all do things a bit differently in each of our churches, but fundamentally believe in the same God and get on with each other well, so it all went very well.

"People from 0-95 years old enjoyed praying and worshipping together."