Initiative to raise £300k launched

PROJECT launch . . . from left, Mark Davies, Dr Ian Brett, church warden in waiting, seated, mayor of Oldham, Derek Heffernan, Pam Byrne, chairwoman of Saddleworth parish council, Tim Edge and Alison Coates, both church wardens

SADDLEWORTH ST Chad's Seeing is Believing project got off to an eye-catching start to raise more than £300,000 for repairs to the church.

The money will go towards replacing the impressive stained glass windows of the Grade II listed building above Uppermill, and work on the roof and tower.

More than 50 locals and special guests attended the launch, including the mayor of Oldham Derek Heffernan, Saddleworth Parish Council chairwoman Councillor Pam Byrne and Bishop of Middleton, Mark Davies.

Rev Canon Sharon Jones, Saddleworth Team Rector, told the congregation: "This is a pivotal moment in the life of St Chad's .

"It is a move from looking to the past - which is important for knowing who we are - to a vision for the future.

"It is more than an old building and times gone by. It represents a visible presence of God in our community.

"This restoration and development proclaims afresh his love and is a renewal of our faith."

Bishop Mark added: "Our buildings proclaim in the very heart of each community that each has a place for God. Think of all the generations who have passed through here.

"Now we need to look to the future and those who come after us and think what will we hand over to them?"

The church has been on the current site for 800 years and was rebuilt in 1830-33 with many internal features crafted by Uppermill architect George Shaw.

The service included presentations about the history of stained glass and a closer look at the church's Great East Window, which depicts Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.

Helen Lennie, of the fundraising team, said the aims are to restore and develop the church for this and future generations.

She said: "Iron rods in the stonework of the windows are corroded, causing cracking and bowing of the stained glass too.

"There are a lot of significant issues but we want to see it as something positive and turn it into a development programme for the future."

Young people of the parish took up the challenge to create a logo design for the campaign.

Out of 61 impressive entries, the winner was Rosie Giblin (St Chad's), with second prize awarded to Jack Hilton (St Chad's) and joint third to Eve Russell (Diggle School) and Eva Burke (St Chad's).

Rev Canon Sharon Jones, who presented the winners with book vouchers, said: " Rosie's design beautifully captures the hills, canal and beauty of our area and the centrality of God's love for everyone."

At the launch service, Rosie was presented with a specially-made canvas bag bearing her logo - the first merchandise created to raise funds for the project.

To support the restoration and development project at St Chad's, a coffee morning will be held on the third Saturday of each month from 10am to 11.30am at St Chad's Parish Centre, Station Road, Uppermill.

Or you can enjoy a Springtime Afternoon Tea on Saturday, April 29, from 2pm-4pm at St Chad's Parish Centre, Station Road, Uppermill.

There is also a Family Concert series being held on Saturday, May 20, from 2.30pm-3.30pm at St Chad's Church, followed by an Open Gardens Weekend on July 15 to July 16.

For further information, you can contact Liz Rooke on 07980 419172.