The congregation of St. Paul AME Church had much to celebrate this weekend as they look back over 125 years of history.

The special service of blessing and commemoration, which will be held in the church's hall tomorrow September, beginning at 10.55 a.m., will be the culmination of a full week of events.

This past Wednesday, the church held an open forum, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque, and moderated by former Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, who is a long-standing member of St. Paul AME.

The purpose of the forum was to share the role of St. Paul in the City of Hamilton, and beyond, in yesteryears and today, as well as the role of the church in Bermuda overall.

Panelists included Ira Philip, former St. Paul Pastor the Rev. T.W. Foster and Rev. John E. Brandon, former Pastor of St. Paul AME.

Rev. Lanel Guyton, pastor at St. Paul's, said he was thrilled with the special touch Mr. Butler brought to the forum: "I don't think there's a better moderator who can captivate an audience."

The event was recorded and is expected to air on CITV at a later date.

Last night, the church also came together for a Family and Friends Potluck Dinner, open church-wide and community-wide.

"(We want) to bridge the gap between children and youth and their parents," Rev. Guyton shared.

A focus on youth and mentoring them educationally and spiritually has long been a part of St. Paul's ethos.

"Our role is to bridge the gap between the church community, the schools and the civic parts," said Rev. Guyton. "The church should be the driving [force]... You have to do whatever it takes to make an impact."

The service on Sunday will be lead by Rt. Rev. Richard F. Norris, Presiding Prelate of the 1st Episcopal District, of which the Bermuda Conference belongs.

"The celebration of the 125th anniversary was originally planned to be a double celebration," added Rev. Guyton.

The church has been under renovation for several months now, updating the electrical and technical systems, adding an airconditioning system and creating a new space within the sanctuary for a new pipe organ. They had hoped to coincide the dedication of the new organ and reopening of the church with the anniversary, however, delays in construction did not make that feasible.