St Mary's Church in Buckden has found out that John Newton – the author of the stirring hymn sung across the globe – had been ordained in Buckden in 1764.

Marylynn Rouse, researcher for the John Newton Project, visited Buckden and was able to tell the vicar and churchwardens about the connection between the village church and the famous hymnwriter.

There will be a special service celebrating the life and hymns of John Newton at St Mary's Church in Buckden on Sunday, August 31 at 6pm. All are welcome.

John Newton worked throughout his early career in the shipping industry, heavily involved in the slave trade until his conversion to Christianity and ordination as an Anglican priest.

He is well known for turning his back on slavery, and in later life became active and vocal in the abolition movement, acting as an encouraging influence on William Wilberforce.

In the meantime, he wrote a number of inspiring hymns, of which 'Amazing Grace' is the most famous and well loved.

Other favourites include 'Glorious things of thee are spoken' and 'How sweet the name of Jesus sounds'.

The vicar of Buckden, the Rev Ally Barrett said: "We were really excited to discover that John Newton was ordained here.

"With the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery last year, there has been a lot of interest in Newton and the other campaigners. Newton's life and hymns have been an inspiration to many people over the last 250 years, and it's really exciting to be able to celebrate his connection with St Mary's."

>> 2008 is the 250th anniversary of John Newton's decision to become a Church of England minister, but he was not finally ordained until 1764.

Visit www.johnnewton.org and www.stmarysbuckden.org.uk