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ST. PAUL’S CHURCH ACCRINGTON 1911 – 2012
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH
ACCRINGTON
1911 – 2012
St. Paul’s celebrating in 2012
Jubilee All Age Worship in June
Just confirmed ! September 2012
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Centenary Celebration (1911 – 2011)
In September 2011 we celebrated the laying of the foundation
stone of our present church. This took place on a rainy Saturday
afternoon in 1911 and within 18 months was consecrated and opened
as a Parish Church; as it turned out before the work was finished.
(The centenary of the consecration is in March 2013) This church is
the one we worship in today and there were two very good reasons
to celebrate the centenary of the laying of the stone which took
place on 23rd September 1911.
St. Paul’s Church Foundation Stone
On the same weekend a hundred years later on in 2011 two
memorable events took place; two of our church members were
married on 24th September and the following day, Sunday 25th we
invited former church members ‘Back to Church’ for a special
family service.
Where we came from
The first step on the long road which led to the building of St.
Paul’s Church was taken in the early 1880s when a small group from
Christ Church started a mission in the St. Paul’s district of their
parish. The mission opened in rented rooms in Elephant Street and
Birtwistle Street. In 1927 Mr John Smith J.P. a foundation
manager of the school for many years, was invited to open the
second day of the church bazaar. He said…
‘I remember St. Paul’s being opened when we started in Elephant
Street………when you come to think of the school and church we have
now and then think how it started in a top room up some wooden
steps at Cheetham’s paint shop. What progress we have made!’
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The mission was so well attended it soon became overcrowded.
This gave Christ Church and its young off-spring St. Paul’s Mission a
great opportunity to work together and put up a more permanent
church in the district. This was the Iron Church which came from
another parish and replaced the mission rooms in 1885. The first
service was held on the 17th December 1885.
Five years later in 1890 St. Paul’s School was opened and the
congregation then turned their thoughts towards having their own
parish which would of course require a parish church.
Twenty-one years later the Iron Church was dismantled and on
Saturday 23rd September 1911 the members of St. Paul’s Church
watched the foundation stone of the new church being laid. I am
sure they would be really pleased to see recent developments.
Drawing of the Iron Church used on the front cover of the
Church Magazines in 1911
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A new church for St. Paul’s [Observer &Times 26/09/1911]
Within five weeks of the demolition of the old iron church
wherein for a generation the congregation of St. Paul’s Church,
Accrington, have worshipped, the foundation stone of the new
permanent church to be erected in its place was on Saturday
afternoon (Saturday 23rd September) laid by Mrs Browning, of
Bentcliffe House, Accrington, in the presence of a large gathering.
Unfortunately a persistent fall of rain militated against the
function being as largely attended as was expected.
At two o’clock some two hundred scholars and members of the
congregation of St. Paul’s assembled before the site of the new
church, and headed by the Howard and Bullough Band, made a
devious tour of the parish by way of Mansion Street, Cedar Street,
Park Street, Birtwistle Street, Chapel Street and Sandy Lane.
Accompanying the procession, amongst others, were the Rev. A. J.
Humphreys, curate-in-charge, the two wardens and sides-men…
*********************
Our Centenary Book gives more details but back to the present day
St. Paul’s Church from Barnfield Street 2011
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If we compare the photograph with the sketch only the nave and
aisles were actually built with the money raised. A metal bracket
was fixed on the temporary east wall above the back door to hang
the church bell. The bracket is still there but the bell has gone.
In 1927 Mrs. H. Bolton was invited to open the first day of the
Church Bazaar. In the course of her speech she reflected:
‘In 1911 the stone was laid for the church, and before that you had
a tin church. I remember it quite well, because although many of
you don’t know it, I used to live in rooms in Plantation Street. I
remember the bell on Sunday morning was something of a bug-bear;
especially at early service it used to wake us up earlier than we
wanted to get up. Of course we sometimes used to go to service,
but we did not always feel like it.’ (laughter) [Observer & Times 14/5/27]
There are members of our congregation who remember the bell
being rung before service. There are others who have searched
high and low to find it to no avail.
The Future
There are members of our present congregation whose families
have worshipped at and worked hard for St. Paul’s through many
generations. This gives us a real feeling of togetherness with those
who celebrated the laying of the Foundation Stone a hundred years
ago and the opening of the new church.
Ten or so years ago we carried out a survey of the work being done
regularly, usually weekly, by church members for our worship,
leading our organisations and looking after our buildings and
grounds. We already knew many people worked hard to keep the
church running but for the first time we had a measure of this
commitment. The totals were large, people were very committed and
this gave us a lot of confidence for the future.
We started to plan new services and activities, promote the
church in the local community and using the church building as often
as we could. We became more confident at taking opportunities and
making decisions. This was our plan for the future. The result was
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more church members started helping and more people started
joining the church. We had a Mission Action Plan.
In 2011 the same spirit of ‘get up and go’ which achieved so much
all those years ago is still alive in our church today. Just as those
who worked and waited in great anticipation for the new church to
be built we are going through an exciting time. Our congregation has
been growing steadily over the last few years and we needed more
space and better facilities. St. Paul’s Institute was built in the
1930’s and with some alterations has been in continuous use by the
church and school. Rebuilding the Institute would give us what we
needed.
The decision was taken and work started in August 2009. The new
building was in use from January 2010. Mr. Richard Spalding
officially opened it on 14th April 2010 as St. Paul’s Church Hall and
Community Centre and it was blessed on 9th May 2010. by
Archdeacon John Hawley.
The congregation filed out to the church hall for the closing prayers of the
Parish Eucharist and a blessing by Archdeacon John for the new hall and
the mission opportunities it would bring.
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Our Mission Action Plan
To increase our understanding of the Christian Faith
Regular attendance at Sunday services
Members of congregation involved in weekly worship as
readers, intercessors, chalice bearers
Lent Study group sessions
(held each year)
Monthly Bible study
Pre-Confirmation classes for adults and young people
Adults at St. Paul’s
Children at St. James
Publishing a St. Paul’s prayer diary
for members of congregation to pray for each other
Training Courses
for those working with young people
Bible study notes
Rev. Eric Booth celebrating at St. Paul’s
Agape in the Church Hall, Holy Week 2010
This is what
we do
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Mission to our Church Family
Follow up on baptisms
Deliver baptismal anniversary cards
Follow up on baptisms
Visit by church member to keep families in touch
Creche
for pre-Sunday School children
Sunday School
Large, well-established and growing
A monthly All Age Family and Parade Service
children as readers, leading prayers, assisting sides-persons
with books, greeting, collections, activity from children in
the Sunday School or a Youth Organisation
Encourage them to choose and sing a hymn or chorus
Social events for families
hoe down, beetle drive, quiz evening, family party, treasure
hunt, fashion show etc.
Mums and Toddlers group
Well established and successful
Active Uniformed Organisations
all have Church members as leaders or helpers and they
attend special events and parade services
Active Mothers Union
support the elderly, distribute Harvest gifts, help at social
events and fund raise for the Church
Keep Fit group
members from local churches and the community
Elderly/housebound church members
home communion and regular visits
This is what we
do
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Sundays
Post-service refreshments and occasional breakfasts
Recent improvements in the Church
new sound system, loop system, social area in Church,
better access for disabled
Publicity
Parish Magazine redesigned – lots of information – well
distributed and received.
Website managed by a church member
New notice board in church grounds
Access to notice boards at Benjamin Hargreaves School
Care of Church and its surroundings
cleaning, gardening and floral decorations carried out
weekly by members and friends
Evensong
Re-introduced for 5th Sunday of the month
Worship Committee and Hymns Committee play an
important part in preparation for our worship
Christingle Service 2008
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Mission to Benjamin Hargreaves School
Encourage use of Church
for monthly assemblies and special services at important
times e.g. Christmas, Easter, Harvest
Use of Church building as a teaching aid.
Use of Church for special events e.g. prize giving and fairs
Working with Church on fundraising
Church members
Foundation Governors, members of PTA, help children
with reading and mathematics
Out of School Club
Sponsored by the Church Council and run by a Management
Committee of teachers, church members and parents
School and Church Spring Fair 2010
This is what
we do
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Mission to our local community
Support for families with children
Out of School Club and uniformed organizations
Keep community informed about
services, events and church organizations by regular house
to house distribution of information cards, Church notice
board, advertising events in local shops andthe press
Welcome leaflet available when members of the community
come into Church
Social events
monthly coffee mornings, choirs, brass band concerts,
Autumn Fair, Spring Fair etc.
Invitations to events
sent to other local churches and groups
Church Hall used for
Family parties, Accrington Division Guides Badge Shop
Scouts and Guides district meetings and training
Website
up-dated monthly with latest news and information about
all our activities
This is what
we do
The Autumn Fair
This has been held in
church for the last few
years and has always
been popular with the
local community.
This picture was taken
October 2008.
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In the last few years we have seen
many new families coming to church
a growing Sunday School
the return of all the Uniformed Organisations
the development of St. Paul’s Out of School Club
church and school working together
Many in our congregation take an active part in running the church;
the young people now talk about their church and want to be part of
it and the community wants to know what’s happening at St. Paul’s.
The Sunday School meets in Benjamin Hargreaves School, Benjamin
Hargreaves School uses the Church and the Church Hall, the
Uniformed Organisations use all three and many church members
are leaders, school staff and parents.
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The Creche meets in the
church hall on Sunday
morning from 9.30 am
Sunday School sponsored walk
for Derian House June 2010
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Rose Queen receiving
Harvest Gifts 2008 Sponsored Bible Reading
March 2009
St. Paul’s Celebrating Easter 2011
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Summer Lunch
in Church 2009
d Hoe Down at the Poplar
Club January 2010
Mums and Toddlers
Meet in the church hall
Dads also welcome!
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St. Paul’s Rainbows
‘My Princess’
October 2009
St. Paul’s
Out of School Club
Afternoon Snack Time
St. Paul’s
Brownies
‘The Royal
Wedding’
May 2011
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Mothers Union Deanery Service
St. Paul’s Cub-Scouts
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I first met Hilda Thornton over 40
years ago through Mrs Jean Spalding the
wife of a previous vicar of St. Paul’s
Church. Hilda was the last in a long line of
Thorntons from Thornton in Craven. She
traced her family tree back to the 15th
century. Over the years we became good
friends and Hilda was very special to me;
one of those people who stand out in your
life. St. Paul’s was very blessed that she
was so committed to our church. She served on the Parish Church
Council for many years and her wide knowledge of Church Law
supported many of the wardens through periods of interregnum.
Hilda loved helping the children in school with handicraft and she
served as a school governor for many years. A lady of many talents
she was a much valued member of the Diocesan Women’s
Needlework Guild and some of her work is on display at Whalley
Abbey.
Hilda died in Blackburn Infirmary 14th November 2007 much loved
and missed by many people. St. Paul’s will be enriched by her
generosity for many years to come. Children of all ages will benefit
from the extension to the Church Hall we were able to build. Her
vestments and needlework are there for all of us to enjoy. For me
my life has been made much richer from knowing and loving this
very lovely lady, my friend Hilda. [Gladys Greenwood 2009]
If you look round the church you will see many
examples of Hilda’s work; the matching altar,
lectern and pulpit frontals; the vicar’s stoles
and chasubles. These were all designed and
worked along with the altar cloths large and
small. She also made the most recent Mothers
Union banner. She laundered and cared for all
her craftwork over many years.
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Facts and Figures
Who uses the church building?
St. Christopher’s Swing Band
in concert October 2012
Benjamin Hargreaves Choir
Awards afternoon 2012
Church
Mothers Union monthly meeting
Coffee Morning every month
Fashion Show twice a year
Concert twice a year
Autumn Fair
Summer Lunch
DCC and PCC meetings
Benjamin Hargreaves CE
Primary School
Teaching Aid 3 or 4 times a year
Interviews
Christmas Fair
Awards Assembly
Concerts
Uniformed organisations
Activities - occasional use
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Who uses the Church Hall?
* This has been tested in a recent emergency
Christingle workshop 2011
Rainbows Campfire Autumn 2012
Group Size
Managed by the DCC: No commercial letting
St. Paul’s Out of School Club School Term 25+
Keep Fit Weekly 12+
Creche Family parties Social events
Weekly/Sunday am 8+
Casual use 10/20
Casual use 20/30
Uniformed Organisations Rainbows
School Term
Weekly 5
Brownies Weekly 15
Guides Weekly 26
Cub-Scouts Weekly 20
Scouts Weekly 11
Guide Badge Shop Twice a month
Training As required
Benjamin Hargeaves School:
Cookery Club weekly 15
Training As required
Interviews As required
Classroom As required
Emergency Evacuation As required Whole school*
Other: Polling Station H B Council
As required
19 Age profile of St. Paul’s church attendance recorded in November 2012
5/11/2012 18/11/2012
12/11/2012
Benjamin Hargreaves Leavers walk over Hameldon Hill
Age group Number
0 - 5 7
6 - 10 13
11 - 18 14
19 - 30 5
31 - 45 19
46 - 59 23
60 - 70 27
70 - 79 3
80 - 89 3
90 + 2
Attendance 116
Age group Number
0 - 5 7
6 - 10 9
11 - 18 16
19 - 30 4
31 - 45 15
46 - 59 20
60 - 70 42
70 - 79
80 - 89
90 +
Attendance 113
Three week average
Church attendance
0 - 5 8
6 – 10 12
11 - 18 17
19 - 30 5
31 - 45 17
46 - 59 24
60 - 70 32
70 - 80 5
80 - 90 1
90 + 1 Average
attendance 122
Average age
of
congregation
40 years
7 days
Age group Number
0 - 5 11
6 -10 15
11 - 18 22
19 -30 7
31 - 45 18
46 - 59 29
60 - 69 26
70 - 79 11
80 - 89
90 +
Attendance 139
Three week average
Church attendance
0 - 5 8
6 – 10 12
11 - 18 17
19 - 30 5
31 - 45 17
46 - 59 24
60 - 69 32
70-79 5
80 - 89 1
90 + 1
Average
attendance
122
Average age
of
congregation
40 years
7 days
20 Contact us
St. Paul’s Web page: www.achurchnearyou.com
Church postcode: BB5 6RT
e-mail : [email protected]
St. Paul’s Child Friendly Church Award 2011
Sunday School and Creche on Easter Sunday 2011
Walking Day
Procession of Witness June 2010
