Christians gather for Whit Walks

Photo: Tim Bradley

HOLY Trinity, Shaw Harvest Queen Katie Ashburn (13)

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HUNDREDS of Christians united for a series of Whit Walks as a public display of faith.

More than 300 residents, including children and Rose Queens joined for a service as part of Churches Together in Shaw and Crompton walks.

Rev David Jones, minister at St Paul's Methodist Church, led the service - his last Whit Walks service before retiring in August after 10 years as a minister.

The chair of Churches Together said: "Whit Walks are important because they give the church an opportunity to witness to their faith.

"The church is alive and well in Shaw and Crompton. I had never experienced them before I came to the area.

"Even though they are a shadow of themselves I still feel they have an important role to play. They are quite special."

St James' CE, St Saviour's Mission, Holy Trinity, Shaw and Heyside United Reformed Church, St Paul's, Shaw Edge Methodist, the Salvation Army and St Joseph's were all represented during the gathering.

Assistant Revd Howard Moston, from East Crompton St James' C.E, said: "These walks have been going more than 100 years.

"It is a public declaration of faith."

Rev David Woodall said: "We are here for a procession of witness, to celebrate the birthday of the church and the gift of the holy spirit."

Classics such as Yellow Submarine, Dam Busters and When The Saints Go Marching In was sounded out during the procession by Church Lads & Church Girls Brigade, followed by music from 22 members of Delph Youth Band.

Jean Adams (80), who took part in the march, said: "I have been doing these walks for 76 years.

"It is about unity. You are proud to be a Christian."

Jeans attends St James C Of E Church with daughter Jacqui Adams (59) who said: "It is showing the community a witness of our faith and encouraging people to join us. We are not on our own - there are so many people here and so many churches doing this across Oldham."

Around 60 residents from both St Paul's Church of England and St Thomas', Werneth, also undertook a Whit Walk covering Hathershaw and Coppice areas on Sunday morning.

The Rev Nick Andrewes of St Paul's said: "There is a good relationship between the different faith communities and as we waved many people smiled and waved back."

Greenfield Band led the two churches to Coppice Nursing Home where members stopped to pray for peace in the face of war and terrorism.

Around 90 residents accompanied by Broadhurst Band set off on a Whit Walk from St Anne's Church, Royton, at 10.45am making their way towards the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Church warden Sylvia Coppock said: "Unfortunately we had to abort the walk shortly after 11am because it was torrential rain."

Shaw United Reformed Church also partnered with St Mark's Church for a walk of witness in Heyside, with Heyside United Reformed Church walking later in the day.

Meanwhile Greenacres Congregational Church set off from Elim Fountain of Hope, in Greenacres Road at 2.20pm.

The walk was also attended by members of St Barnabas and Holy Trinty churches. Around 250 to 300 people joined in the walk

Walks also took place in Uppermill, Waterhead, High Crompton, Chadderton among others.

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