St Chad’s Church Crisis – What could the future be?

By Ken Bennett reporting on the Church Crisis Meeting held on 26th March 2019 at St Chad’s Church, Saddleworth:

A hushed congregation listened as a community’s spiritual leader outlined a vision to save an iconic church from becoming a “fossilised relic.”

As church bells chimed a welcome, scores of parishioners thronged  Saddleworth Church,  St Chad, Uppermill  to hear Reverend Canon Sharon Jones, Team Rector of Saddleworth, set the scene for the church’s future. The  vision was etched against the stark reality the 800 year old church could face closure in ten years unless one million pounds is raised to cover vital repairs.

She said: ”But  there are real opportunities to save the church.We didn’t want to tart up an old building as the only way to justify the money being used.

“The church  has been seen as a bit of a ‘holy club’ in the past but the crisis is a huge opportunity to reimagine and use the church history and sense of belonging to take us into the future.”

She went on: “Think light, colour, space… think of retaining all that is most precious that points beyond itself to a greater, deeper reality.

“We have tried to imagine the potential for this building to be a lot more that it has been: not  a fossilised relic of the past but a vibrant and inspiring meeting place.

“We seek to look beyond ourselves to the needs of the community and ways we can partner with others to make a difference in people’s lives. We need to be bold, courageous and visionary,” she stressed. The canon said the removal of pews would create flexible seating but retain the focus on the church as primarily a place of worship.

“But we also imagine and desire to partner with business to create ‘The Pilgrims Rest’ coffee shop seven days a week for individuals and groups to find friendship and stillness amid beauty and history.

“This is an opportunity to dream and imagine an exhibition space for wedding fairs, archiving, educational opportunities, art displays and for children and young people to be challenged and reassured by life’s bigger picture of faith.

“We want a space more flexible for drama and music and to reconnect with the Saddleworth community in new ways. We hold in our minds the many walkers, cyclists, tourist and heritage hunters who come this way  looking for beauty and connection.

“We believe it to be the way forward and we are excited and energised what it to come — but we need your support.”

Alongside substantial donations she appealed for a person to take the lead with the church’s Seeing is Believing committee in managing the appeal. “And we urgently need businesses and individuals interesting in partnering with us to make it all a reality,” she declared.

“Enthusiasts, those who care, those who think it matters seekers, mystics, poets, creative folk with energy and vision. But also those who can simply pray and encourage and offer guidance and wisdom.”

The first phase of the restoration, costing  £150,000, is the east gable project including restoring the east window. Future phases will include repairs to the tower, the roof and ceiling, restoring of each window in north and south faces and internal reordering.

A lively question and answer session at the end of the public consultation  suggested a focus across social media platforms to help drive the fund raising mission. Mike Rooke, chair  of  trustees at Greenfield’s Satellite Centre, suggested the church must address two audiences who would use the premises in different ways.

“ Whilst the vision to create a church with modern attractive facilities would be the same, the language used to attract funders such as Lottery Heritage should be very different from that used to reach local householders.

“ I think both believers and unbelievers would all understand the need for an historic building serving our community. A tranquil space reserved for mindfulness wouldn’t go amiss, for example. People need buildings that somewhere to go to that’s safe and welcoming, relevant and dynamic, but away from this busy world.”

Charles Baumann, spokesperson for Saddleworth Historical Society and  Saddleworth Civic Trust said the church was part of the community’s fabric and suggested a concerted efforts approaching council’s and businesses and community organisations in a bid to help save the landmark.

To contact the appeals team, go to: appeals.scs@cofeinsaddleworth.org.uk or visit: www.cofejnsaddleworth.org.uk/seeing-is-believing

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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