For May, along with scores of other people with special memories to recall and stories to tell, gathered to celebrate over 300 years of Baptist tradition in Retford.

The Well Church's senior pastor, John Brewster, said that in a few days time the current building will be handed over to the builders for demolition prior to the erection of a brand new church and conference centre, and May had been a totally devoted worshipper there since she was a babe in arms.

"It was a great day for all of us and there was much to celebrate including the devotion of the congregations over the years," he said.

Currently, the church, not only meets three times every Sunday, it is also a base for a host of other organisations that regularly meet in the old building.

But as the church has become busier in more recent times, the need for a new church became apparent.

And on Sunday the last services were held before work commences.

"All three services attracted scores of worshippers – all of them wanting to be part of the historic occasion," said Rev Brewster.

"Although we were all sad to see the end of the old building – the fourth on the Hospital Road site – it was clear that we had to move on."

The move to new premises has created many headaches for the leadership team, who have had to find alternative accommodation for the church's work to continue while the work is carried out.

And in addition to using its own Wellspring on Lime Tree Avenue, it will also be holding meetings at the Catholic Church on Worksop Road and Carr Hill School on Tiln Lane.

Rev Brewster said he was extremely grateful to Father Bill Bergin for welcoming the Baptists to his premises and also the staff at Carr Hill School for their co-operation.

"Their offers of help have been a tremendous asset to us," he said.

The official hand-over will take place at the end of the month and in the meantime staff and volunteers are busy sorting out the clutter that has built up over the years.

"The next 12 months are going to be strange for us, but it will all be worthwhile when Retford will have its first new church for around 50 years," he said.

Sunday services at the church will continue at 10am at the Wellspring, 11am and 12.30am at Carr Hill School.