A CHAPTER in the history of the Baptist Church is about to end with the closure of the Atch Lench chapel.

The final Sunday service will be the Harvest Thanksgiving, at 11am, on September 10 and a final celebration will be held on September 16.

Then, the chapel will be open with an exhibition of memorabilia and an opportunity to meet former and present members of the church over a cup of tea.

A celebration service will also take place when the Baptist Area Superintendent, the Rev Brian Nicholls, will preach.

Th church was founded by Heming Bomford, a farmer, in 1825. After his death, his sons Joseph and Thomas built the chapel.

Down through the years the Bomford family gave it great support and it flourished. The Baptist churches at Harvington, Dunnington and Stock Green were all daughter churches of Atch Lench.

Like many village chapels, Atch Lench suffered with the changing patterns of village life and the church has had only two members, Ruth Jackson and Fred Haselden, for some time, but they together with others have carried on the Baptist witness in the village despite their advancing years. Miss Jackson said: "Recent attempts to revive the work did not meet with success and the decision was taken earlier this year to close the chapel."

The Rev Peter Hayes, of Fernhill Heath Baptist Church, said: "Thanks are due to the secretary, Mr Haselden, and the treasurer, Miss Jackson, whose association with the church goes back over 80 years, for their sterling efforts over many years."