Burnham-On-Sea’s St Andrew’s Church will later this month hold a special service as part of its ongoing ‘Year of the Angels’ celebrations, marking 200 years since the arrival of the historic Grinling Gibbons Angels in the town.

The service will take place on Sunday 27th September at 6pm, with all residents warmly invited to attend. The Mayor, Cllr Mike Facey, will join the congregation along with the Acting Archdeacon of Wells, The Venerable Jonathan Lloyd.

Refreshments will be served afterwards, offering visitors the chance to take a closer look at the intricately carved Angel sculptures that have become part of Burnham’s heritage.

The Grinling Gibbons Angels have been admired in St Andrew’s since 1826. Sculpted in 1686 by master woodcarvers Grinling Gibbons and Arnold Quellin, the angels were originally commissioned by King James II for Whitehall Palace.

They were later moved to Westminster Abbey before the Bishop of Rochester — who also served as Burnham’s vicar in 1820 — acquired parts of the fragmented Whitehall altarpiece and brought them to St Andrew’s to decorate the chancel.

Today, the two large flanking angels stand on pedestals beneath the church’s distinctive leaning tower, with several smaller cherubs arranged along the North aisle, drawing visitors from far and wide.

St Andrew’s says the upcoming service will be a key moment in its year‑long celebration, offering the community a chance to reflect on the remarkable journey of the Angels and their place in Burnham’s story.