As High Sheriff of the West Midlands, I had the honour of visiting St. Michael & All Angels Church in Pelsall as they hosted a special ‘Open the Door’ event for their 180th anniversary commemorating the church’s historic milestone from 1844 to 2024. The event, organised by Reverend Alison Morris, welcomed guests to join in the celebration and explore the rich history of the church.The event featured displays, guided tours, bell ringing, and exceptional musical entertainment from Pelsall Ladies Choir which offered a unique opportunity to see the heritage of St. Michael’s Church. The open exhibition showcased the church’s legacy and its significance within the community over the past 180 years. As St. Michael’s Church continues to celebrate its anniversary throughout the year with a series of events and services this event served as a memorable occasion to honour the church’s history and strengthen its connection with the community. This is way more than a church as it brings people together and provides so many different things to this community. It was great to meet so many stakeholders at this special event including Wendy Morton.Well done to all the brilliant volunteers who have played such a big role in the running of this church for 180 years.Reverend Alison Morris shared her thoughts on the visit, which underscores the importance of visiting and highlighting community champions, emphasising the pivotal role of the High Sheriff in fostering connections and promoting community cohesion.“It was our privilege to receive the High Sheriff as the representative of the Crown in the county. From the outset, it was both a joy and delight to meet with him and to share the history and legacy of Pelsall parish church. During this visit, the High Sheriff toured the exhibitions and displays on the history; spoke with both young and old while also taking part in the ‘ring the bells’ for celebration in the bell tower. All of this visit meant a great deal not only to the church members but also the Pelsall community. His warm and approachable manner meant that the people felt comfortable to have conversations with him. At the end, they felt valued by his interest in what they had to share and affirmed by his words of support and encouragement. His presence had a most positive and invaluable impact upon the church and indeed the Pelsall community. The visit by the High Sheriff facilitated and enabled the excellent day of building relationships and community engagement.”
