Marshalswick Baptist Free Church has welcomed Rev Darren Street as the sixth minister in its 55-year history.
Darren was trained at Spurgeon's College in London, and comes to St Albans from a 16-year ministry in Hayes, Bromley.
He was inducted to the pastorate at Marshalswick on May 27 by Central Baptist Association regional minister the Rev Andrew Openshaw.
During the service, Darren was officially welcomed by the church's oldest and youngest congregants: 95-year-old Jean Peake and 13-month-old Ffion Griffiths.
Darren and his wife Ruth were also presented with the gift of an olive tree from the church's young people.
The address at the service was given by the Baptist Union of Great Britain's Small Church Enablor, Hilary Taylor.
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Other speakers at the service included district councillor Lorraine Kirby, parish councillor John Hale, Caroline Upton, of the Busy Bees playgroup that meets at the church, Clare Cockburn from Wheatfields Infants School - representing all Marshalswick schools - Chris Penn of Dagnall Street Baptist Church and the Rev John Hardacre, representing Churches Together in Marshalswick.
Helen Little, the church's secretary, said: "Over the last couple of years MBFC has seen growth and renewal. In particular, our Sunday Club has been revived by an influx of new families.
"We look forward to continuing serving our community with Darren now spearheading our presence, making a difference in our locality."
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