A FEAST of music, dance and prayer welcomed about 250 people to a Blackbird Leys church as it celebrated 50 years of multicultural faith.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church first opened its doors in 1966 and draws in scores every week from the Philippines, India, Africa, East Timor and elsewhere.

On Saturday, June 4 a congregation gathered at the church hall in Sawpit Road,on the Oxford estate, for a special mass followed by food and entertainment.

Vicar Fr Nazarius Mgungwe said: "It went so well. We had a lovely celebration afterwards in the hall with food from different cultures and ethnicities.

"That for me was symbolic of Blackbird Leys and the faith of Blackbird Leys; it has people from all over the world."

The 64-year-old, who is originally from Malawi, first took on his role at the church in 2010.

He said: "Initially I had heard a lot of things about Blackbird Leys and I was afraid. But when I came I found that they are just the best people.

"We've tried to encourage people from different backgrounds to work together, organise themselves and contribute something from their own country. It's quite nourishing."

On the day Monsignor Timothy Menezes, of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, led the service alongside Fr Nazarius.

Choirs hailing from different parts of the world sang to the group in costumes from their native countries.

Marjory Sibanda, 40, who lives in the maisonettes above the Blackbird Leys Road shopping parade, came in typical Zambian dress in homage to her mother.

She said: "I enjoyed the event thoroughly. I've been going for about three years now; obviously I enjoy the religious part of it, but I've been to other churches and Sacred Heart is totally different. It's inter-denominational and everybody plays a part."

Long-time churchgoer Maggie Durkin, 79, of Sorrel Road, has attended the church from its very first days and received a special award for services to the church community.

She said: "It all went well. Monsignor was absolutely fabulous and everyone was so generous with the food.

"I've been going for 50-odd years and it has grown so much. We have every colour and creed, and it's just lovely. It has a momentum of its own and it will go on."