The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul in Stokesley opened its doors to give the community a chance to come together and watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Westminster Abbey service was played on a large screen above the altar and around a dozen people turned out to pay their respects as the church bells rung out across the town.
The big screen hung above a colourful memorial display created by Stokesley Primary School pupils featuring tributes to the Queen.
It included a Paddington Bear toy as the fictional character became synonymous with Her Majesty following her humorous Jubilee sketch that captured the hearts of the British public.
Rev Ben Gunter said he didn’t know how many people to expect at the church but he wanted to provide an opportunity for people to join together and watch the historic occasion.
He said: “I think it is nice that people want to watch it and I think it is very important to gather together.
“I think that it really makes a difference if we come together to celebrate her life.”
The Westminster Abbey order of service had been replicated in booklets handed out to attendees, enabling them to follow all the hymns and prayers being broadcast from the abbey.
Rev Gunter said he hoped ‘it will be the closest thing we can get to actually being there’.
Read more: Who is in the main funeral procession at the Queen's funeral today?
Stokesley resident Pauline Rowell was among the first to arrive for the special screening and said: “I think it is nice that a church family can come together to mourn the loss of our blessed Queen who had a deep Christian faith.
“And I think it is better to celebrate in unity than on your own.
"She will be missed; she served the country and the Commonwealth remarkably.”
At the back of the church a book of condolence contained many touching and personal messages describing the late Queen as ‘an inspiration’ and ‘a wonderful example to us all’.
But it was this most simple message which perhaps best summed up the sentiments of a nation in mourning: ‘Thank you for everything Your Majesty, God bless’.
Read next:
- 49 pictures from across the North East as region marks the Queen's funeral
- Queen's funeral: Updates as North East says farewell to Queen Elizabeth II
- Who are the coffin bearers at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral?
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