St Clement, Chorlton

On May 10 2006 Bishop Nigel began his pilgrimage journey at St Clement and St Wesburgh, Chorlton. The Rector of St Clements, Rev Hilary Barber, explained: "When the Bishop arrived he came to St Clement's Church and we prayed together in the Lady Chapel for the parish and the church.

Next there was a small tour of the Parish travelling in Rev Barber's 1960s Morris Minor. The Bishop went to visit Chorlton High School which is a state of the art Performing Arts College. He was shown around the school by head teacher Peter Kennedy and other senior members of staff. Next Bishop Nigel travelled through the parish to the mission church of St Barnabas and met with about 50 children and their parents at a special tea party.

Then followed a community reception at St Clements attended by representatives of health, education, the police, local councillors and local trade and industry. There was a buffet and the Bishop was able to mingle and chat with guests. Rev Barber said: "He was warmly received."

As the Bishop arrived at the church for the pilgrimage service he was greeted by a Steel Pans Band from Chorlton C of E Primary School. Rev Barber explained: "It was lovely and so Bishop Nigel joined in!"

During the service the joint choirs of the primary school and the high school sang together. Rev Barber added: "Chorton cum Hardy is known in Manchester as the media village of the north, that's what the BBC describe it as, so we did a multimedia presentation of God's Salvation history in Chorlton which was made by the BBC. We called it

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

The Gospel According to Chorlton. It was a very hot day. The church was packed with over 160 people. At the end of the service the Bishop led the whole congregation outside into the church yard where he then sent us out into the world to love and serve our neighbours."

On reflection Rev Barber said: "Certainly many people have spoken to me subsequently and said how moving they found the service and particularly when Bishop Nigel anointed people. Even non-church people found that profoundly moving.

"It was a great occasion. It brought the whole parish together and it was good to have Bishop Nigel amongst us."