THIS image from Barrow photographer Roy Chatfield shows worshippers at a historic service at Furness Abbey held on Saturday, June 13, in 1992.

It was the first large scale public Mass held within the abbey since it was closed on the instructions of King Henry VIII in 1537.

Several clergymen officiated at the Roman Catholic event, including Bishop of Lancaster, the Rt Rev John Brewer.

Also there was Dean of Furness, Canon Francis Cookson.

He said: “It was a magnificent occasion.

“Mass was celebrated in the abbey for 410 years until it was dissolved in 1537.

“It was an important occasion for us to say Mass again in the Abbey church.”

Around 1,000 Christians from churches all over Furness and from Millom attended the event.

A previous attempt to hold the first public Furness Abbey Mass since the Reformation had to be held on nearby parkland in 1927 as the historic ruins were considered unsafe during a major repair project.

This was in 1927 during celebration for the 800th anniversary of the foundation of the abbey.

Both the Anglican and Catholic Churches drew big crowds for services on separate days.