THE Queen has sent her birthday wishes to a historic church to mark the 150th anniversary of when it was set up.

The Queen, as head of the Church of England, wrote a special message for the Colchester parish of St Barnabas at Old Heath to mark a century and a half since its first church and school were established.

Big celebrations had been planned to mark the momentous occasion, however, they have had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But Father Canon Richard Tillbrook said he was delighted to receive a letter from Buckingham Palace.

It said: “Her Majesty the Queen was interested to hear your parish church and school are celebrating 150 years at the centre of the community, and the school met in the church, originally built in 1870, until a larger school was built.

“The Queen greatly appreciated the fact the parish was granted full parish status by her beloved father, King George VI.

“Her Majesty sends you her good wishes at this time.”

The current St Barnabas’ Church, in Abbot’s Road, was consecrated in 1955 on the same site as the original 1870 church.

The original was built as a daughter church to St Giles, which is now Colchester Masonic Centre.

When St Nicolas Church, in Colchester High Street, was demolished, and St Giles made redundant, the Gilbert Scott Pulpit and font from St Nicholas Church were given to St Barnabas, as was the Eagle Lectern from St Giles.

The school, originally set up in Saville Cottage, remained with the church for 20 years before the existing primary school was opened in 1895.

Father Richard said: “What had been planned was the St Barnabas’ Patronal Festival and Civic Service which was to be attended by the Lord Lieutenant, the Colchester mayor Nick Cope, High Steward Sir Bob Russell, MP Will Quince and the Acting Bishop of Chelmsford as well as our people in Old Heath.

“A special Eucharist service was also planned when the preacher would have been the Lord Bishop of Richborough, the Rt Rev Norman Banks.”