Church to launch fundraising bid

THE stunning stained glass windows at St Chad's Church, Uppermill

THE first stage of a far-reaching vision to carry an ancient church into the future will be revealed later this month.

Saddleworth St Chad's Church will be marking its 'Seeing is Believing Project' with a special launch weekend of their major fundraising campaign to retain its spectacular stained glass windows.

It is part of an ambitious mission to repair and restore the heritage of the landmark church in Uppermill and widen their community welcome.

Two years ago, the church celebrated 800 years of continuous worship on its hallowed Saddleworth site.

As part of that special anniversary, the church community began plans to improve the building to ensure the church was accessible as a special place to visit, worship and treasure for the future.

However, during the anniversary year, shocked parishioners learned that in addition to the planned works, they would have to find more than £300,000 to repair and restore the church's beautiful stained glass windows.

Now St Chad's Development Group, supported by the Parochial Church council, is inviting the whole community to the two-day celebration which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26.

On the Saturday, a specially invited team of guest bell ringers from Essex will be hosting a dedicated welcome from 11.30am to 12.15pm.

This will herald the arrival of church and civic dignitaries at 12.30pm at the start of official welcome.

The Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton, Saddleworth Team Rector, Rev Canon Sharon Jones, and Councillor Pam Byrne, Chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council, will be attending the event.

The welcome will be followed by the presentation of the winning 'Seeing is Believing' logo designed by a local young person.

Helen Lennie, the development group chair, said: "The total project will be phased over several years and will require a mixture of fundraising and bid writing.

"The Co-op Community Fund at the church was lucky to be chosen as one of three local causes for community funding by Uppermill Co-op.

"Every time a Co-op membership card is used a percentage of your spend goes to a cause of your choice."

To benefit the St Chad's Church Windows Project, all you need to do is register your Co-op card and select St Chad's Windows Project on the Co-op website.

More than 60 young people attending schools, Sunday schools and churches in the parish are to take part in a Logo Design Challenge on the theme of the project title - "Seeing is Believing" - and the winner will be revealed at the launch.

On the Saturday, there will short talks on the much-revered stained glass windows, including their history and importance and the work and support required to complete the project.

On the Sunday, Mothering Sunday Eucharist service will be held at St Chad's at 11am.

Saddleworth Players are offering The Friends of Saddleworth Church their Charity Night performance of "The Graduate" at 7.30pm at The Millgate Arts Centre, Delph in aid of the project.

Tickets are £12.50 including supper at 6pm available from Alison Coates on 01457 876760 and Liz Rooke on 01457 810666. For those with tickets already, supper only will be £5.

"We look forward to welcoming you to St Chad's and to joining in the special events; your support will be much appreciated," Helen added.

Monthly coffee mornings are now being held every third Saturday at the Parish Centre, Lee Street, Uppermill to raise funds for the project.

The next is set for Saturday, March 18 from 10am until 11.30am.