The Ascension, Hulme

When the Bishop of Manchester visited the inner-city parish of The Ascension, Hulme as part of his pilgrimage on November 6th, 2008, he was presented with a green reminder of his visit in the form of a shrub for his garden.

Canon Alma Servant, Rector of The Ascension explains: "Not far from the Church of the Ascension is a wonderful green-space; Hulme's very own Community Garden Centre.


"It's a really positive place and provides work for offenders, as well as welcoming children and adults of all abilities including those with learning difficulties. The bishop met the project director who showed us round with great enthusiasm."

The bishop's visit began with prayers in the church, and took in a visit to the nearby Kath Locke Health Centre. The bishop also met staff at St Philip's CE Primary School and heard about 'Vision Africa': a project in Kenya supported by St Philip's, hearing from one of the school's teaching assistants who regularly visits Kenya through the project.

A reception for the local community in the church Hall gave the bishop the opportunity to meet local community leaders, including Tony Lloyd MP, who came up from London to attend. A local GP, ward councillors and representatives of other denominations also attended; most staying for the Pilgrimage service in the church afterwards.

Nearly forty people attended the service in church, though the dark evening meant that few of the church's children or older people were present.

Reader, Kate Tiltman invited church members to tell the story of  'how I ended up at this church in Hulme'. Tony Milner, a former churchwarden and gifted photographer placed a

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

number of his own large photographic prints around the church and also took the Commonwealth Games baton from the bishop.

Before the service began, Canon Servant told the bishop before the service that the church had a surprise for him: "After the prayers, we presented the bishop with a shrub for his garden as a token of our appreciation for him in coming to visit us.

"I told the congregation:   "The bishop's pilgrimage is a chance for him to encourage and affirm us - but he doesn't have to do this, he could be sitting with his feet up at Bishops-court instead of visiting us". I didn't need to work very hard at all to get them to applaud their bishop - in fact, I thought they were going to all whistle and stamp their feet.

"The bishop was full of energy, but also showed a common-sense realism about life for small inner-city churches. His visit was very much appreciated. It was a varied evening and a very happy one. We've had some very positive feedback - all in all, it's been very good."