Christ Church, Denshaw

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch came face to face with a flock of South American Llamas, more commonly found in the Andes than  Saddleworth Moor, when he visited the parish of Christ Church Denshaw on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 as part of his three year long pilgrimage around the diocese of Manchester.

After beginning his pilgrimage by praying in Christ Church with the vicar, the Revd. Sydney Clayton, and members of the church, the bishop visited a number of housebound church members around the parish.

During the afternoon the bishop also paid a visit to Higher Oxhey Farm in Denshaw, where he heard about the challenges and opportunities for local farms and businesses in the Saddleworth area by Helen Taylor, who has developed the farm, high up on the moor, into the Saddleworth llama trekking centre and rare breeds farm.

The bishop also met local councillors and community leaders, including the local primary school head, at a community reception in the village hall, before a short act of worship in the evening at Christ Church. The church service both reflected and celebrated Denshaw's history and heritage - not least in having local musicians with links to the famous Black Dyke band, leading music (as 'Denshaw Brass') during the service.

At the conclusion of the service, the Bishop re-commissioned church members to continue to 'Run the Race' of life with renewed faith, hope and love.

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

Christ Church, Denshaw's vicar, the Reverend Sydney Clayton, said, 

"We're very appreciative of the bishop's visit to Denshaw. We all need to be activated and energised and we're hoping the Bishop's visit will rejuvinate us and encourage us in our faith and service.

The bishop is highly regarded here, and we are delighted to see him and to show him this beautiful and rural part of his diocese."