A ‘THRIVING’ church in the centre of Hartford is kicking off its 200th birthday celebrations by unveiling a new and original art installation.

St John’s Hartford, on School Lane, will be unveiling its new ‘tympanum’ – a decorative panel which is usually found above a church's entrance – at a special celebration on Sunday, October 6, at 6pm.

Sunday’s event kicks off a special two-week mission, called 200 Years of Hope at Hartford, including a packed itinerary of community outreach sessions.

These include everything from circus skills workshops, to chocolate tasting events, to quiz nights.

The new tympanum is a bit unconventional in that it’s not a carved stone frieze, but a collection of 200 clay thumb posts, each made by members of the congregation, all set side-by-side in resin.

Dee Rawlinson, visual artist and St John’s arts ministry team’s creative lead, said: “We’re an amazing, thriving church, and we do use art as a means of communicating with people. It’s exceedingly powerful.

“We have a collection of Christian themed art on permanent display, and everyone is warmly invited to spend time with any or all of it, as often as the want.

“For the current project, unveiled on Sunday, each person was asked to make a small clay thumb pot, which has their individual thumbprint in it.

“Each one represents one year of the history of the church.

“Together they make an eight-feet-long by one-foot-high art installation.

“On Sunday, all those involved will be able to see the finished result.

“I came to faith through art. That’s how God got my attention.

“My passion has always been to use art to help people understand what I believe are biblical truths, without being too heavy.”

Refreshments will be available at Sunday’s unveiling, and everyone is welcome to attend.