St Thomas & St Anne Clifton

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Revd. Nigel McCulloch visited the parish of St Thomas and St Anne, Clifton on Thursday February 7th, 2008.
After prayers in St Thomas's, Clifton Green the bishop enjoyed a display by the congregation about the life of the church and local community, before visiting the nearby Clifton Country Park. The bishop met the  wardens and toured the Visitors' Centre, taking in an art display by Clifton Primary School depicting the Wet Earth Colliery, a working pit until 1928.
At Holy Rood Children's Nursery (in a converted pub) the bishop met the manager, staff and children.
John Baxendale, priest-in-charge, said, 'I'm delighted that the bishop's visit has meant that I've been asked to go into Holy Rood on a regular basis - Run the Race opened the door for us!'
After a home visit to a local couple with historic church links, the bishop returned to Clifton Neighbourhood Centre, linked to St Anne's church, for a community reception for more than seventy guests, among them, the Mayor of Salford, Headteacher of Clifton Primary School, local police and ward councillor, Barry Warner.
A local history display, put together by local historian and former Clifton  librarian, Kathleen Wallwork celebrated Clifton's rich heritage.
At 7 o'clock over 150 worshippers  packed the church for a service of celebration and commissioning during which the bishop dedicated a  new organ for the church, donated  anonymously by a church member.
Congregations from both churches worshipped together; Mildred Brockbank of St Thomas's and George Bennett of St Anne's spoke about the history and heritage of the two congregations, while Chloe Thornton, representing the younger generation spoke of the church's role

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

in her decision to become a Christian.
Handing back the Commonwealth Games baton which has accompanied the bishop on his pilgrimage were Sam Dewsnap (16) of St Anne's and Thomas Taylor (8) of St Thomas's.


'It was both a memorable and a moving service' says priest-in-charge, John Baxendale.
'It went really well; virtually every person came up to be blessed and anointed by the bishop. People have told me how moving they found it.
' From a parish point of view, this has been a beneficial exercise: it was a really good outreach to the community, it brought people together, mended some broken bridges and also helped to open some doorways for the future.'