Chelmsford Christians mark the Crucifixion

From the archive, first published Wednesday 11th Apr 2007.

CHRISTIANS from all over Chelmsford gathered for the Good Friday celebrations last week.

The Procession of Witnesses saw people join together for a Christian service and to remember Good Friday.

Starting at churches in four different parts of the town, from 9.15am onwards, people walked to Chelmsford town centre.

By 11am, around 1,500 people were in the High Street.

The four groups from the different churches each carried a cross that was set up at the top of the street.

They listened to the 40-minute service, delivered by Rev Canon Walter King, vice-dean of Chelmsford Cathedral.

Christian rock band Extol and the Salvation Army Band provided the music on the day, while Paul Gutteridge, senior pastor at the Christian Growth Centre, gave a speech.

Prayers were said by pupils from St John Payne School.

The traditional Chelmsford event takes place each year and is open to people from all the different Christian churches, who join together to remember Christ's sacrifice.

Tony Allen, spokesman for Chelmsford Cathedral, said the sunny weather helped and the events went down well.

"It appeared to be a very successful day and the weather was perfect," he said.