Three people were baptised in the sea at Nova Beach off Prestatyn on Trinity Sunday (31 May).

The three men, Harry, Jason and Jack, are all members of the congregation at Christ Church in the town, and were baptised by the Revd Gregor Lachlann-Waddell, Mission Hub Leader for Christ Church. He was assisted by Sarah Rodger Jones, who will begin training as a priest in September, and Sue Newby from the church choir.

Gregor said: “At the end of last year, I discovered that several men of different ages in my congregation had not been baptised. They expressed a desire to be baptised, and I gladly offered to perform the ceremony in church, jokingly suggesting that I could even baptise them in the sea.

“They took this idea up enthusiastically, and we agreed to aim for their baptisms during the warmer spring and summer months. We initially targeted Easter Sunday, but unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and we had to postpone the event.

“We eventually found an opportunity on Trinity Sunday at the end of May to hold the baptisms in the sea at Nova Beach, Prestatyn. This time, the tide and the weather were on our side. The baptism candidates were excited and brought friends and family along to support them on the day.

“This was a first for me to baptise people in the sea, and I pray and remain faithful that it will not be the last!”

Since its founding, the Church has baptised people outdoors in rivers, lakes, and the sea. St Cwyfan is said to have used the River Ffyddion in Dyserth for baptisms. Jesus himself was baptised in the River Jordan. Today, baptisms are usually conducted in the fonts within our churches.

Gregor added: “An outdoor baptism at the beach is open and public, taking place in God’s creation and symbolising how the first Christians were baptised. This setting is a wonderful way for the Church to demonstrate and witness to the public that we are still here, actively baptising and bringing people to faith.”

Christ Church Mission Hub is at the heart of Prestatyn as a place of prayer, welcome, and community. It is an inclusive and vibrant church offering a welcome to everyone. You can find out more about its services and community activities at https://christchurchprestatyn.co.uk/

Christ Church is part of the Bryn a Môr Mission Area, a collection of churches working together to serve the needs of their communities. It is part of the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses in the Church in Wales.