History was made in Sandridge on Sunday as the Bishop of Norwich returned to St Leonard’s Church after 900 years.

The present-day Bishop, the Rt Revd Graham James, was welcomed back to the church consecrated by his predecessor Herbert de Losinga before 1119.

Community leaders, organisation representatives and many other parishioners came to the church on Sunday morning to greet the bishop at a Mothering Sunday service to launch the major ‘Sandridge 900+’ community project.

Bishop Graham told the congregation that it was “good to be back” and explained how Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich, had consecrated many churches as penance for having paid to become a bishop.

Rev Peter Crumpler, Curate at St Leonard’s, said: “It was very special to welcome the bishop back to Sandridge, and for him to see that a church consecrated around 900 years ago continues today as a place of worship, prayer and community.

“Sunday’s service was a really happy occasion and a great launch for Sandridge 900+ and all the events that will take place across the area in coming months.”

The service included a special prayer for ‘Sandridge 900+’, the community initiative designed to celebrate everything that the area north of St Albans offers its residents and visitors.

St Leonard’s Church will be playing a full role in the celebrations with its own programme of events during 2014. These include an evening of curry and karaoke on Saturday April 26, a family fun afternoon on Sunday June 8, and opening the church with refreshments on Sunday afternoons in May and the last Sunday in June, July and August.