How We Developed

POTTED HISTORY

The Congregational Church started in the a schoolroom in 1869, probably the present main hall.  The main church building cost £3,785, was built in a year and paid for in 2!   It was a large Victorian edifice, with a high roof, giant pipe organ and seating for up to 500 in wooden pews.   A small satellite church was established in Ladybridge Road in 1922, and only reabsorbed in Jan 2003.  The preschool (primary) room was built in 1928 and refurbished in early 2017 and let to a pre-school group.   Too expensive to maintain, the spire was removed in 1961 leaving a stubby tower .  The Congregationalists  joined the Presbyterians in 1972 to form the United Reformed Church in England and Wales, celebrating its 50th Jubilee in Oct 2022.

We lost the spire in 1961

Surviving WW2, he roof timbers were damaged beyond repair by vandals just after Christmas 1977 and the stone structure was demolished and replaced by a modern octagonal multi-purpose sanctuary opened in 1982.   In the nineties we briefly formed a the South Cheadle Group Pastorate with Heald Green (2nd time since 1948) and St Columba’s (in Handforth, now transferred to the Moslem faith).  For 10 years until 2019, we shared a minister in a pastorate with Bramhall URC.   We joined, in JUN 2019, the S Manchester and Cheshire Missional Partnership, of 16 like minded reform churches to share mission and resources.

Our church was 150 years old in JUN 2019 and we look forward to the future, guided by God.

Our ministers since 1968…

  • Rev Donald S Parbury

  • Revs David Wilkinson & David Westhead (as the South Cheadle Pastorate)

  • Rev John Mitchell

  • Rev Peter Sharp

  • Rev Alan Poolton MA (Joint Pastorate with Bramhall)                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Become (S Manc & Ches Missional Partnership)

  • Rev Dr Marion Tugwood

  • Rev Jonnie Hill + Rev Kurauone Mutimwii

Sheila Glenton (since left) and Bernie Stevens were trained as Local Leaders, and assist the Elders with worship in the church.

Louise Everett followed Alison Smith (now Rev Alison) as Outreach Workers. 

We have appointed Don Philips as Social Enterprise Co-ordinator, and are currently organising our outreach work along community-centred, self-help lines.