A book about Catholicism on the Island has been published to celebrate a church’s 150th anniversary.

Mary vanDyke, who is a member of St Henry and St Elizabeth Church, Broadway, Sheerness, has spent two years working on Catholic Sheppey 35 Years On.

Her sister Cath Skinner helped out with all the research and they were supported by Fr Frank Moran and the congregation.

It’s a follow-up to one written years ago by parishioner Rowan Carstairs which covered from 1798 to 1975.

Mrs vanDyke, 74, has taken it from there up until the present day. It includes anecdotes, stories, photographs and memories to create an insight into the day to day life of the parish.

The book is her first. She says she is more used to writing poetry but is pleased with the results and has already had positive feedback.

“I’m delighted and I so enjoyed writing it,” she said. “Some of the comments have been so kind and people said it’s very readable which was my aim so I’m really very pleased. It was edited, printed and published at the print shop at HMP Standford Hill and they have done an incredible job.

“I’m so grateful and would like to thank them and everyone who contributed and helped – responding to constant pleas in the newsletter.”

Members of the church will mark the milestone with a week of celebrations which start on Sunday, September 7.

They include an ecumenical service, a flower festival and activities involving children from St Edward’s Primary School.

The church will also be open for anyone to look around and learn about the history of the building.

Proceeds from the sale of Catholic Sheppey 35 Years On will go to the 2014 organising committee.