Church joy for builder vicar

When Rev Peter Williams and founder members of Wollaston Free Church bought the former Stourbridge Rugby Club in the 1960s they had little money left over to transform it into a church.

As a result they headed off to night school and learned the building trade as they went along using their skills to turn the former clubroom into a place of worship.

The church opened in May 1967 and their efforts were so successful Rev Williams formed his own construction company with fellow founder member Peter Brocklesby called Trinity Road Development Ltd. The profits of the company's projects were ploughed back into the church in Somerset Drive, Wollaston.

Their efforts paid off as the church has now survived for four decades growing into a prominent building in Wollaston with more than 300 members.

The company has since been wound up after completing various schemes around the country including refurbishments of churches as far afield as London.

But Wollaston Free Church is still reaping the benefits. Rev Williams, aged 69, said: "When we first started we had about 20 members at the most and we had one room and a toilet.

"We didn't have the money to pay anyone to do the work and we didn't want to appeal for money from our few members, so a few of the founder members and I went off to evening classes and learnt the building trade as we went along."

Forty years on the church has been through 15 extensions and now includes a games room for youngsters, a balcony, large foyer and lounge area with toilets and lifts installed for the disabled.

To celebrate the life of the church so far a series of celebratory events are being held. Tomorrow there will be afternoon tea at 5pm followed by a service at 6.30pm entitled "Through The Years." On Sunday there will be a family service at 11am with an evening service at 6.30pm with the cutting of a celebration cake.