All Saints' Newton Heath

The Bishop of Manchester, The Rt. Revd. Nigel McCulloch visited the parish of All Saints' Newton Heath on Tuesday, July 1st, at the end of their anniversary weekend of celebrations, taking the opportunity to institute priest-in-charge, Fr Ken Gabbadon, as the parish's Rector.

After a weekend of celebrations including a hog-roast, a festival dinner and performances by a local stage-school, the parish welcomed the bishop at 4pm on Tuesday.

The bishop's visit began with prayer in church, after which he was taken to visit Philip's Park Fire Station, where he met firefighters on duty and toured the station.

A quieter visit to a house-bound member of the congregation followed, after which the bishop was taken to Doves' Nest Residential Care Home to meet Ethel Smith, a longstanding resident of 100 years.

The bishop then returned with priest-in-charge, Fr Ken Gabbadon to a community reception held at All Saints' Primary School. After listening to the school band and choir, the bishop met with invited guests, including the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mavis Smitheman who appropriately enough, was born and raised in Newton Heath, where she has also lived for most of her life as well as serving as ward councillor between 1998 and 2002.

The Commissioning Service which followed included the institution and induction of Fr Gabbadon as Rector. Fr Gabbadon said: 'It was a good culmination of a busy anniversary weekend. Folks were tired, but it was a nice end to it all.'

At the beginning of the service, the bishop handed the Commonwealth Games baton that has accompanied him during his pilgrimage.

At the end of the service the baton

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

was returned by an older member of the church and two youngsters: a sign of  the baton of faith, hope and love being passed from generation to generation.




The service included an opportunity for parishioners to celebrate the history as well as the future of the church - two churchwardens and church officers told the story of All Saints and spoke about the life of the church today.

Worshippers were also invited to come forward to be anointed by the bishop as a sign of their recommissioning in God's service. This was particularly moving as worshippers and members of the community followed their newly commissioned Rector to be anointed with oil and blessed one by one.