The celebration of the 200-year history of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church will culminate in a 10:55 a.m. worship service on May 6 led by Bishop Hope Morgan Ward.

Ellen Mosby, one of the chairmen of the day’s activities, said the participation of the bishop in the service is the highlight of the day.

“Following worship service, we’ll have a luncheon honoring the bishop,” Mosby said. “We hope all the Natchez people who grew up in this church but no longer attend will return for this celebration.”

The service will be in the historic sanctuary; the luncheon will be in the still-new family life building. Both are on Jefferson Street between Rankin and Commerce streets.

A celebration of church history today will begin after Sunday school, when members Jeff Kirkwood and Craig Bradford will arrive on horseback to greet the children.

“They will portray the early circuit riders a week before the celebration,” Mosby said. “They’ll talk to the children about what circuit riders did in the early days.”

The worship service and dinner afterwards are open to all in the community.