Forty-two years ago, Leroy Bridges began attending Central Christian Church because he enjoyed singing in the choir and men's chorus.

He liked it so much that he never missed a day of Sunday school - ever.

Bridges, 87, was recently honored at a Sunday morning service at the church for not missing a single day of Sunday school in 42 years.

"I had my record, and I wanted to keep it," he said. "Another fellow had went for 31 years who had the record, and I was going to beat it."

Bridges is a retired 47-year employee of Central Hardware. He and his wife Ena have been married for 35 years.

During his time at the church, Bridges said he has seen it move from the intersection of Fifth and Quincy streets to its current location on South Seventh Street across from Ironton High School. He has also witnessed five ministers come and go. Besides his work in the choir and men's chorus, he has worked with the church's food pantry for 10 years.

"He had two standing ovations from the congregation," Mrs. Bridges said of the church service.

At the service, he was presented a plaque by the owner of Central Hardware and his bible school teacher, Roy Ratliff.

Bridges said he believed the ovations and plaque he received from the church meant that his hard work had paid off.

"I sort of liked it," he said.

At times,

it looked as if Bridges' streak would end. Because of health problems and bad weather, he was not able to make it to services. However, church representatives visited him to bring him the Sunday school lesson to keep his streak going.

Besides his plaque, Bridges also has a cross on the wall with all of his perfect attendance pins from the church brotherhood - all 42 pins.

Alan Tison, minister of Central Christian Church, complimented Bridges' work with the church, especially his work with the food pantry. Bridges' class, called a 50/50 class, was started for young married couples.

"That is the model of faith he has given," Tison said.

However, Bridges' streak has ended now. He and his wife are both unable to drive. When they are able, he said, he will try to catch a ride on the church van.

In the future, someone may break Bridges' record, but he believes no one will break it at any time soon.

"Records are made to be broken, but nobody lately will break it," he said.