TWO churches are coming together for an afternoon of music.

The Church of St Francis of Assisi, in Halstead, is joining forces with Gosfield Parish Church to present Music for Passiontide this weekend.

The concert will take place at St Francis of Assisi Church, on Colchester Road, on Sunday at 4pm.

Music will include sounds from Handel’s St John Passion and Mozart’s Ave Verum, as well as a selection of readings and hymns to celebrate the Passion of Christ.

The choirs were brought together by organist David Felstead, who plays in both parishes.

He decided to put on the concert to raise funds to repair the organ at St Francis of Assisi.

The choirs, which are made up of women and men of all ages, have been practising twice a week since February to make sure they are at their best.

A spokesman for St Francis of Assisi Church said: “It’s been a great opportunity for people of the parishes to mix and get to know each other.”

The concert is a free event and is open to all members of the public, whether they are religious or not.

Refreshments will be served in the parish hall after the concert.