THE oldest functioning Methodist Church in the county will celebrate its 214th anniversary this weekend.

Manningtree’s Church, in South Street, also boasts to be older than any functioning Methodist Churches in Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

On Saturday, the annual gift day will run from 10.15am until noon, which is a chance to help make the church more financially viable .

It will also allow people to share in worship following the Government’s guidelines.

The Sunday service, led by Rev. Derek Lang, will begin at 10.15am within the Grade II listed building where people can attend to celebrate the landmark milestone.