'Delight' at drive-in church service held outside Sunderland's Stadium of Light

Hylton Castle Mission, which usually hosts services in Canterbury Road, and New Springs City Church, which is based in Fulwell Road, joined together to host the event outside Sunderland’s ground at 11am on Sunday, August 16.

It was the first of a hat-trick of drive-thru church services this month which allow the congregations to gather together while keeping in line with social distancing measures.

The following services will be held at 5pm on Sunday, August 23, and 11am on Sunday, August 30.

Around 75 people attended the first service, and although a final total has not yet been confirmed, more than £100 has been raised for families affected by coronavirus in Sunderland.

Pastor Keith Cook, of Hylton Castle Mission, said: “It was really great, people are just happy to see each other again because a lot of our congregations have been in shielding and of course in the national lockdown.

"Just to be able to be together and see each other face-to-face and following social distancing measures it was was just delightful to see.

"We’re so grateful to the Stadium of Light for allowing us to use the space and to all our volunteers for helping it run smoothly.”

Under the revised Government's coronavirus guidance, only up to 30 people can gather within a place of worship.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.