Holy Family, Failsworth

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Revd. Nigel McCulloch visited the parish of the Holy Family, Failsworth on Tuesday 18th September.

After beginning with prayer in church, the bishop's first visit was to South Failsworth Primary School, where he met staff, parents and governors, and was grilled by members of the school council - though the bishop managed to ask them a few questions of his own.

The bishop was then taken to Earl's Lodge (an Anchor Housing Complex) to lead a service of Holy Communion, a monthly commitment that the church has recently established, ensuring a continued presence in this part of the parish. Afterwards the bishop visited Gladys, a member of the church, now in her early 80s, and resident at Acorn Lodge Residential Care Home.

A reception for the community was held in York Hall, just one of a complex of well-used rooms based around the church building. The vicar, the Revd. Peter McEvitt said: 'The church is on the map as far as the community is concerned - we do engage with the community as far as we can.' The church is often open from 7am to as late as 11pm and recent research discovered that more than 700 people pass through its doors during the course of a week. The bishop observed during his visit, 'This is certainly a parish that is engaged with its local community in every sense'

During the reception, the bishop met a number of community leaders, among them, Chris Hoyle, Chairman of the recently founded Oldham Cancer Support Group, for which the church has raised more than £800 this year. He also spoke to local councillors, representatives of hall users, many of who are church members themselves, as well as members of the local Methodist congregation which is also based at Holy Family.

The Pilgrimage Service  took place in the church. The story of the parish from its beginnings in 1964 was told by Clifford Savage, who was

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

Churchwarden when the parish was created and has been 'a faithful servant of the church' ever since.

The Commonwealth Games baton, which has travelled with the bishop throughout his journey, was handed back by a younger member of the church, whose name was pulled out of a hat the previous week. The bishop also met members of the church's young people's groups ("Grunt" and "Squealers")  who, in celebration of their group's name, presented the bishop with a money box in the shape of a pig.

Reflecting on the bishop's visit, the vicar, the Revd. Peter McEvitt, said, 'We were delighted that the Bishop came to the parish. There was a very positive atmosphere on the day, and two months on, people are still wearing their 'Run the Race' badges with pride.


'It was a lot of work done by a significant number of people, but it has drawn together the various strands of church and community life, and affirmed the work that is going on here: it has helped us to think about building on the foundations that are clearly already in place. But we have also been challenged and inspired for the future.'