St Wilfrid, Northenden

The Bishop of Manchester visited the parish of Saint Wilfrid's Northenden on Thursday 11th October 2007 to launch a long-weekend of mission events in the parish.

The bishop popped into the local Children's Society charity shop and met with local funeral directors, both  based in Northenden's main shopping street. A visit to Northenden's busy police station enabled the bishop to meet local police officers and hear about the successes and challenges of local  policing.

The bishop turned heads at the Crown Inn on Ford Lane when he not only turned up in his cassock, but went to assist landlady Deborah Horner behind the bar: "The bishop pulled a great pint of bitter and I'd have no qualms about employing him behind the bar if he fancied a change of job." said Deborah, "It was great to have him here - he chatted with some of the regulars and told me what a nice pub it is - with lots of character."

Afterwards the bishop crossed the road to Saint Wilfrid's church hall for a reception for the wider community, also attended by members of the church, mingling with local councillors, members of local civic society, representatives of local sports and social clubs, local business leaders, and members of the Royal British Legion - of which the bishop is national chaplain.

The church hosted a special Service of Dedication at 7pm. The Rector of Northenden, the Revd. Greg Forster said 'We were pleased that so many who might not ordinarily come to church decided to stay for the service - I was also delighted that local clergy from the other churches of Northenden worshipped with us.'

He continued: 'we had a very positive response to the service and

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

to the bishop. People have said how much they valued what the bishop had to say, and his attention to detail, in his knowledge of church and area.

'I wasn't quite sure how it would all work - but it did.

'The whole day was much appreciated by people around Northenden - and especially by those who you might be more likely to see in the pub than the church!'


During the service, the vicar told the story of Northenden and its church - one of the oldest churches in the diocese, yet also one of the newest, only becoming part of the diocese of Manchester (from Chester) in 1933, when the city council expanded southwards into the Cheshire countryside with what was to become the Garden City of Wythenshawe. Using the website as one example, he also spoke of the challenges of the future.

The Mission Weekend, linked with the bishop's visit, continued with special school harvest services on Friday and Open Days on Saturday and Sunday (which was, appropriately enough, St.Wilfrid's Day).