A CATHOLIC community is preparing to mark the 50th birthday of its church after refurbishing the building.

St Teresa's, in James Street, Annfield Plain, opened on December 17, 1953, with cash raised by residents who had previously travelled to worship at St Patrick's in nearby Dipton or St Joseph's in Stanley.

Half a century on, the congregation has raised cash again for a renovation of the church in time for the jubilee celebrations.

The centrepiece consists of four leaded windows depicting religious scenes and remembering the town's mining heritage.

There is one of St Teresa, one of the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of St Cuthbert and one of a coal pit head.

Fr Michael McKenna, the parish priest, said: "The windows are staggering. I cannot believe how magnificent they are."

Volunteers have also made several alterations inside the church. They have created an office area, moved the sanctuary, removed the old-fashioned confessional and built a new vestry. The bulk of the work has been done by parishioners, saving about £3,000 in labour costs.

Ken Gibson, chairman of the parochial parish council and a retired builder, who led the team, said: "The people of the parish are really hands-on and will get stuck in. A dozen of them have come along and done whatever has needed to be done. They have been fantastic."

The celebrations begin next Wednesday, with Mass at 11.30am, followed by a buffet at noon.

In the afternoon, there will be an exhibition of photographs and film of Stanley and Annfield Plain over the past 50 years.

Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Ambrose Griffiths will attend, along with priests from across the Deanery. Fr Joe Marren, a native of the parish, will preach at Mass.

The congregation will include some founder members of the church, such as Sommena Greener and the original church organist, Betty Rundle. There will be a thanksgiving service at 7pm.