St Matthew, Chadderton

The bishop of Manchester visited St Matthew, Chadderton on November 18, 2007 at the end of a year in which the parish celebrated the 150th anniversary of its foundation.

The bishop began by meeting to pray with the vicar and officers of the Church Council at St Matthew's.

After prayers and conversation, the vicar took the bishop to two homes in the parish; first, to meet Elsie (a longstanding church member and home-communicant) and then to visit Lee and Jackie and their young children Jake and Ellie.

The vicar, the Revd. David Penny explained: 'St Matthew's congregation is a good mix of young families and older people and I wanted the bishop to have the opportunity to meet a representative cross-section of church members.

'Elsie hadn't been well, and was uncertain whether she was up to the visit, but both visits went really well - and of course we had to run to catch up as both visits overran!'

The bishop and vicar returned to the community reception in the hall of St  Matthew's VA Church of England Infants School, where the bishop met with the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Ann Wingate; and other local councillors, Mrs Patricia Shepherd, Head of St. Matthew's Infant School, and representatives of all seven schools in the benefice, local businesspeople and members of the church council.

Those present at the reception joined other church members and local residents for the Pilgrimage Service in St Matthew's, attended by more than 80 people of all ages. 

Denis Barrott, a longstanding member of the church and of  Chadderton Historical Society told the story of the  church's life in the local community in a light-hearted and informative way, and the vicar

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

then spoke about the  contemporary life of the church. was Jessica (12), a member of the church's  youth group handed the Commonwealth Games baton back to the bishop.

The majority of those present responded to the bishop's invitation to come forward to be blessed and anointed -  including many of those for whom this was an entirely new experience.


Reflecting on the bishop's visit, the Vicar, the Revd, David Penny said, 'It worked better than I thought it would: it was a very worthwhile experience that helped us to refocus on where God leading us in the future.

'We have spent this 150th anniversary year looking back and giving thanks to God for all the blessings we have received, and the bishop's pilgrimage, at the end of our celebrations, served to launch us into the next phase of ministry in this parish. 

'We pray that we may continue to serve this community and be a blessing to it as we proclaim the love of God.'