St Werburgh,
Chorlton-cum-Hardy

The Bishop of Manchester visited St Werburgh's, Chorlton-cum-Hardy on
Sunday, 22nd June 2008 as part of his pilgrimage around the diocese and to licence Canon Anne Dawtry as stipendiary priest-in-charge.

The occasion was enthusiastically planned by the church as a threefold opportunity for the church to "celebrate the past, enjoy the present and ensure the future" as together with their new stipendiary priest, they renewed their commitment to serve God and the local community of Chorlton.

And there is much to celebrate;  Canon Dawtry, who has served at St Werburgh's for several years, said: "As a parish, ours is a story of growth: two years ago we had an average Sunday attendance of 25 - now we average over 40. We have restarted work with children in the parish (the Geese and Goslings Club) and currently have 12 children on the roll. We've also started a Children's Band, which will be one year old this month, and they play at our monthly Family Services."

The service was also an opportunity to celebrate the life of the late Norah Templar. Until her death in January 2008, she was St Werburgh's oldest active parishioner and had served as Church Council Secretary for 25 years. Miss Templar's nephew Christopher and his wife, came up from Cheltenham for the service, during which they presented the church with new festal vestments and an altar book, bought with a bequest from Miss Templar's estate.

As the service concluded, five members of the church, ranging in age from 8 mos. to 87 yrs. handed back the Commonwealth Games baton which the bishop has carried to every parish throughout his two-year pilgrimage.

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

A community reception followed the service; guests included Cllr. Paul Shannon, Kate Grand of Chorlton Central Church, and representatives of William Hulme Grammar School and of the many groups who use St Werburgh's Church Hall during the week. The church was also joined by members of Manley Park Methodist Church, and Wilbraham St Ninian's URC.






Reflecting on the occasion, Canon Dawtry said: "After two periods without a full time priest in charge in a little over two years, the Bishop's visit has provided us with an excellent opportunity for  renewing and reinvigorating our links with the local community and with other local churches. The service and community reception  was a time both to renew old acquaintances and make new friends."