The unveiling of the Rev. John Newton Thurrock Heritage Plaque at Purfleet Children’s Centre (on the green between Royal Hotel and No.5 Magazine) takes place this Saturday 10 March at 11am by the Mayor of Thurrock.
Also features the Amazing Grace exhibition.
Please read the invitation to all from Jonathan Catton at Thurrock History Museum:
You are cordially invited to the unveiling of the Rev. John Newton Thurrock Heritage Plaque at Purfleet Children’s Centre.
On Saturday 10 March at 11am Cllr Charles Curtis, the Mayor of Thurrock, will unveil a commemorative plaque linking the life of the Rev. John Newton to Aveley and Purfleet in Thurrock.
A short narration on the connection of John to Aveley and Purfleet will be given by Marylynn Rouse and Jonathan Catton.
The song ‘Amazing Grace’ will be sung during the event, a reminder that on 10 March Newton always celebrated the date as being the first time he prayed to God. A local singer, Jane Young, and the Aveley Church Choir will lead the community singing, and you can join in as well.
Thurrock’s connection with John Newton
Newton’s stay on a local farm as a youth – after the 2nd marriage of his father – was remembered in his old age for two near-death experiences and the joining of his first ship at Long Reach, Purfleet.
He later became a slave trader, but eventually became an abolitionist of slavery and a vicar. Amongst numerous sermons he wrote the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.
The plaque is a result of partnership between Thurrock Museum Service (who have developed a trail of Thurrock Heritage Plaques) and the John Newton Project (who believe in the transformation of society through faith in Jesus Christ using the life and works of John Newton as one great example). The initiative by Thurrock Museum is to underpin and illustrate Pride and Diversity in Thurrock.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EVENT IF YOU CAN – AND BRING A CHURCH PRESENCE TO THIS SIGNIFICANT EVENT FOR THURROCK
