Hundreds packed into the grounds of Malmesbury Abbey on Saturday to watch the Archbishop of Canterbury baptise 19 candidates from North Wiltshire in a full-immersion tank.

There was a huge applause from more than 600 onlookers, guests and candidates as the leader of the Church of England arrived in what is thought to be the first visit by an Archbishop of Canterbury to the ancient abbey.

During his greeting to the congregation, the Most Rev Justin Welby said: “I am really genuinely lost for words, it’s so wonderful to be with you at this amazing abbey, this amazing setting and this extraordinary event.

“Everybody thinks church is boring. You’re not going to get bored this afternoon because this is the most dramatic mixture of deep engagement with Jesus Christ, with God himself.

“It’s also wonderful theatre, this will move you profoundly when you see what’s going on, and it’s also the most amazing party.

“Party is at the heart of Christian life. One of the great slogans for the church has to be ‘more parties, less meetings’.”

After a reading by the Rev Tanya Lord, vicar of Southmead in Bristol, the Arch-bishop gave a sermon in which he compared the baptisms with the recent ‘ice bucket challenge’.

He said: “The ice bucket challenge is a good thing, it’s done great things for some people, but the ripples of baptism can do great things for the world.”

There was then a presentation of the candidates, both young and old, who were either being baptised for the first time or reaffirming an earlier baptism.

Among the candidates was Andrew Carnegie, and his wife, Adele.

Mr Carnegie grappled with a knife-wielding thug who raided a Malmesbury jewellery shop in 2012.

The couple were both ‘dunked’ in the portable baptistery during the traditional-style outdoor baptism.

Following the baptism, some of the candidates, including Mrs Carnegie, were confirmed by the Archbishop.

And when he went to dry off, the congregation joined in a joyful rendition of Amazing Grace.

Living up to the Archbishop’s earlier promise, after the service there was a two-hour party with bouncy castles, food and a bar serving Welby’s Wallop – an ale brewed by Malmesbury Brewery for the visit.