THE CONGREGATION of Dundee’s St Paul’s Cathedral celebrated its 150th anniversary with a special service last night.

Kathy Galloway, leader of the Iona community, was preacher at the Festival Eucharist service, which was opened by the Very Reverend Miriam Byrne.

Ms Byrne welcomed the full congregation to the special anniversary celebration.

She said, “150 years ago, two years after the laying of the foundation stone, this building opened as a magnificent parish church set in the heart of the city of Dundee. Today we celebrate that day.”

Traditional symbols of life in Dundee were used to decorate St Paul’s by children who had attended an art workshop on Saturday.

Led by Carol Marples, of the Soul Marks Trust, they used jam jars, jute, and even characters from the Beano and the Dandy to spruce the cathedral up for those attending yesterday’s service.

Several local MPs and various representatives of civic life in the city of Dundee were at the service, including Lord Provost John Letford, Chief Constable John Vine, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Jimmy Campbell, Dundee East MSP Shona Robison, Dundee West MSP Kate McLean and Dundee West MP Jim McGovern.

Mr McGovern said, “It was a lovely service and the choir were excellent. I am pleased to be here to celebrate the special anniversary.”

A civic reception followed the service at which Mr Letford was asked to cut a cake featuring a design by the children of the church.