St Hilda, Prestwich

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd. Nigel McCulloch visited the parish of St Hilda's, Prestwich, on Tuesday, 26th February 2008 and met a wide array of colourful local characters from Prestwich.
After a short service of prayer with a number of those who couldn't attend later in the evening, the bishop visited St Hilda's School to meet the Headteacher and some of the staff, who had stayed behind specially to meet him.
Fr Croft, priest-in-charge of St Hilda's then took bishop Nigel to St  Clement's Court Sheltered Housing where he met some of the tenants and offered to anoint and bless those who wished. A number of the residents said how very touched they had been to met the bishop and to have him pray with them.
Next the bishop ventured out on to Bury Old Road to meet local shopkeepers. At 'Relinus' Bishop Nigel met the propietor and staff , even taking time to bless the owner. After a visit to the crafstmen upholsterers down the road, the bishop popped in on local Chemist and radio personality, Dennis Gore who ensured that the bishop left with some of his alternative medicinal curatives .
Finally the bishop visited Heywood Gardens to give holy communion to Ray and Irene - regular home communicants of St Hilda's
The community reception for over eighty people in the church hall attracted a number of local figures including Martin Mercer (Chief Architect for Bury MBC), local funeral directors from Lilleywhites and Paul Williams, representatives from the local nursery, local councillors and members of the local community.
The reception was follwed by the pilgrimage celebration service. Churchwarden, Ken Savage told the

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

story of St Hilda's over the years, including former clergy and tales of the local community from which the church was born.
Sunday School Teacher, Louise Montes De Oca spoke about how her Christian faith has grown, why she and her family are regular attenders at St Hilda's. She also  involved the children in a presentation about parish life today. Representing the younger generation to bear the baton of faith, hope and love, Andrew Teather, who is training for ordained ministry handed back the Commonwealth Games baton that has accompanied Bishop Nigel throughout his journey, at the end of the service.


St Hilda's is a 'Forward in Faith' parish, and we look to Bishop of Beverley for oversight,' said priest-in-charge, Father Ronald Croft, 'but this visit affirmed Bishop Nigel as chief Pastor of this diocese and a focal point for our mission and outreach.
'Bishop Nigel was a real "Father in God" and his visit was a shot in the arm for us all. He went down exceedingly well with everybody in the church and local community: the congregation are already asking me when Bishop Nigel is coming back to St Hilda's!'