History of St.
Andrew's Grange Click
on pictures to enlarge, and back button to return) History of St.
Andrew's Grange Click
on pictures to enlarge, and back button to return) The Church of St. Andrew Grange is a relatively modern building, being built in the early 1960's and consecrated in 1965. That makes the church 35 years old at the turn of the millennium. The history of St Andrew's Grange can be best summed up as-
"The Early Days", "The Ancient History of St Andrew's" "Where Two or Three are Gathered" and "The New Millennium".
Expansion of the town of Runcorn was inevitable after the end of the Second World War. Many soldiers had married during wartime and their wives had continued to live at home and carry on with their wartime jobs. Once the war was over and the soldiers were demobbed, this presented great problems, as they needed their own home. There had not been any slum clearance program for many years and in addition the bridge crossing the River Mersey was a Transporter Bridge that was obviously going to be in adequate for the post war world. A site was chosen for a new bridge but this was at the expense of many homes being demolished. Also in 1963 Runcorn was designated as a new town by the government of the day and had to cater for an overspill of population from the City of Liverpool to enable urban regeneration in that great City. The outcome was that much land to the East and South East of the "The Grange" now the Civic Town Hall (see photo gallery) but once the home of Henry Boston, a leading industrialist in the tanning industry, was taken over for the site of very many houses.
The "Town Hall Estate" or "Grange Estate" as it is now known, grew fairly rapidly within the Parish of St. Mary. Halton. The spiritual needs of the people became the responsibility of the Rev'd. Sydney Dawson but later to a much greater extent the Rev'd. John H. Macmillan. There was no church, not even a community centre, just hundreds of homes. Sunday house communion services were arranged around the estate, the hosts inviting their neighbours. It soon became apparent that a church building was required. Early in 1956 a group of people from the parishes in Runcorn met and planned a survey of the Grange estate. As a result of the survey a committee was formed to plan the way ahead. To raise funds for a new church building, a weekly house-to-house collection was organized. This was to continue for five years, people being asked to donate 6 pence a week.
The first building to be erected was the Church Hall and the Lord Bishop of Chester dedicated this on 28th November 1959, and the Rev'd. Dennis Kelly licensed as Priest-in-Charge. Being so close to St Andrew's day (November 30th) it seemed quite natural to dedicate the church to St. Andrew. The hall was a dual-purpose building being easily converted for worship.
Easter 1960 saw the first Annual General Meeting, when the first churchwardens elected were Mr. J. Wynne and Mr. H. Hemers.
· In December 1962 plans were drawn up for a new church and vicarage to be sited alongside the present church hall.
· July 1963 saw the start made on the vicarage.
· St. Andrew's was still only a conventional district within the Parish of St. Mary, Halton and it wasn't until 23rd August 1963 that the Parish of St. Andrew was established. Mr. Kelly then became vicar.
· On Saturday 8th February 1964 the Bishop of Chester laid the foundation stone of the new church.
· On the 9th of July 1964 the bishop of Stockport came to bless the new vicarage. The vicar was able to move out of Laburnum Grove.
The great day was Sunday 24th January 1965. The church was packed to overflowing for the service of consecration by the Bishop of Chester, Dr. Gerald Ellison. The cost was in the region of £4o,ooo. What an achievement by those early workers, Hall, Vicarage and Church in only 9 years.
The
Parish of St. Andrew's was carved out of the Parish of St. Mary's, Halton, (which is pictured left,
click for enlargement). And so it may be of interest to readers
to know something of the History of St. Andrew's Mother Church. A geographical
feature of Halton is that the village is located at the high point of the area,
with imposing views of the surrounding countryside in all directions. An ideal
location for the site of a castle and so it was that one Hugh Lupus, a cousin of
William the Conqueror, no less, built a Castle around the year 1070. It is
likely that a church, for use of the garrison residents, was built about the
same time for it was known that a church was established by 1120. In 1396 the
Bishops granted a license "to celebrate service within the chapel of the blessed
Mary within the village of Halton".
The Church and Castle were demolished during the civil war and a new church built in 1662, a date of some significance in the history of the Anglican Church. This building was described as a church "not containing any object of interest". This church was demolished and the present church built and consecrated in November 1852, the architect being none other than the eminent Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1875).
The land on which the churches stood was owned by the Duke of Lancaster and the Baron of Halton, titles which later reverted to the Monarchy and indeed a lot of the land around the Hill and Castle still belongs to the Queen. Only the ruins of the castle remain but within the perimeter of the former walls is a hostelry which is referred to in one of the Chester Miracle Plays when a shepherd is heard to tell of that "Good ale of Halton have I here".
After the consecration service Parish life had settled down nicely when on October 1st 1967 The Rev. D. C. Kelly announced he had accepted the living of St. Michael's Coppenhall. He preached his final sermon on 3rd December 1967. This signified a major change in the life of St. Andrew's.
The new town was beginning to take shape and, on Thursday 4th April 1968 the Rev. Keith Huxley was inducted as vicar. He was also to be leader of a new team ministry within the town. Other members of the team quickly arrived.
· June 1968 - The Rev. P. L. Williams with special responsibility for Castlefields.
· September 1968 - Rev. Grahame Shaw as curate of St. Andrew's.
· June 1969 - Rev. Roger Faulkner as Vicar of Holy Trinity Church.
· September 1972 - Rev. Grahame Shaw became team vicar, with special responsibility for Palacefields and was replaced as curate by Rev. Stephen Little who was ordained as Deacon in St. Andrew's Church on Sunday August 6th 1972.
· The Rev. Andrew Scott, Vicar of St. Mary's Halton completed the C. of E. section of the Ecumenical team.
All this change led up to the formation of the Major Parish of East Runcorn with Halton on 18th May 1973. The Rev. Keith Huxley becoming Rector of the new parish while still being based at St. Andrew's.
· Changes and movements amongst the Clergy had slowed down a bit but the end of September 1974 saw the departure of Rev. Grahame Shaw to the Oxford Diocese and, in October the Rev Peris Williams left to become Diocesan Youth Chaplain. Later the same year Rev. David Watson replaced him.
· In January 1975 there were special celebrations for our 10th Anniversary with the Bishop of Chester, Rev. D. C. Kelly, Rev. Peris Williams and the Dean of Liverpool preaching at celebration services. Sunday 23rd February 1975 saw the beginning of Rev. David Vanstone's ministry on Palacefields in place of Rev. Grahame Shaw. On Sunday 31st August 1975, the Rev. Stephen Little preached his last sermon before departing to take a living in Rochdale. Finally on Christmas Eve 1975, we saw the introduction of the Church of England Children's Society Christingle Service, which is now an annual event.
· In April 1976 another member of the team, the Rev. Roger Faulkner departed to be replaced in August by the Rev. Terry McCarthy. The first Autumn Fayre was held in October 1976 and this has now become an annual event.
· On Palm Sunday 1977 came the news that the Rector, the Rev. Keith Huxley, was to leave to take up the position of Home Secretary of the Board of Mission and Unity, under the Church of England's General Synod. His final services were on 21st August 1977. Unable to fill the Rectorship, the Bishop decided to suspend the position. Subsequently, on 30th November 1977 (St. Andrew's Day) the Rev. David Vanstone became team vicar of St. Andrew's.
· A notable occasion in our worship offering was on 23rd October 1979, when a recording of hymns was made in St. Andrew's for the programme "United in Song" and broadcast on BBC Radio Merseyside.
By 1980, population growth in Runcorn had far outgrown the parish boundary and news came that the Major Parish was to be split up into separate parishes again. The Parish of St. Andrew (taking in the Grange, Halton Lodge and Southgate) was re-instated. The Rev. David Vanstone being licensed and installed as Vicar of a much larger parish.
· In September 1982 it was announced the Rev. David Vanstone would be leaving. On October 24th 1982 he preached his last sermon before leaving to take up a living at All Saint's Church, Hampton, London. The following interregnum was to be a long one but the parish was well looked after by the Rev. Arthur Birch, a retired clergyman, living in Frodsham.
· In April 1983 it was announced that the new Vicar of St. Andrew's was to be the Rev. Stephen Arthur Forster. His induction by the Bishop of Birkenhead took place on Tuesday 28th June 1983.
· 1985 saw the 10th anniversary of the Wednesday Pram Service, when parents bring along their toddlers, first to play in the hall and finishing with a short service in the Church.
1986 was ushered in with great excitement and anticipation of our 21st birthday. Preparations were well under way organizing a celebration week that was to take place from Sunday, January 19th to Sunday, January 26th. The events that week were -
· Sunday - Eucharist of Praise and Thanksgiving. Later that day a Procession of Witness led by the Boys Brigade Band.
· Monday - Display by our organisations in the Church Hall.
· Tuesday - Concert by the Highfield Male Voice Choir.
· Wednesday - Ecumenical Youth Eucharist and Disco.
· Thursday - From 9-00pm until 9-00am Friday - Vigil of Prayer starting with a service of Compline and finishing with Matins as we greet the actual birthday of our Church.
· Friday - Parish Supper and Barn Dance.
· Saturday - Children’s party and disco.
· Sunday - Eucharist of Praise asking for the Guidance of God's Holy Spirit for the Future.
After much preparation and hard work the week of our 21st Celebration was over all too quickly, but what a week it was! Every event was successful and added very much to our Parish Family. The week was bounded by two great acts of worship, one of thanksgiving for what has been and one where we asked for guidance for the future.
On June 30th 1986 the Reverend Richard Marsh was ordained Priest and in 1987, with the best wishes of the congregation, left for Solway Fell and Chapel University College to continue his studies. A period of five years was to pass before a new curate was appointed.
During 1986 and 1987 discussion was held and plans formulated on how we as a parish family could grow and continue the goodwill promoted during our 21st birthday celebration. The outcome was an evangelical program to be called ‘Mission 88”, “As the Father sent me so I now send you”. Mission 88 was planned to run from May 22nd to May 29th 1988. Prior to these dates church members had identified members of the community who were not involved with the church activities who would appreciate a visit from an evangelistic team. The team led by The Venerable John Gaisford, Archdeacon of Macclesfield also Miss N. Jackson, Rev. Val Hughes and Brother Mark Nicholas. With the exception of the Archdeacon, team members were hosted during the week in many homes of our parish family.
At the end of Mission 88, after six years faithful service, the Rev. Stephen Foster announced he had accepted a living as Vicar of All Saints, Cheadle Hulme.
In 1989, the Rev. David Felix accepted the post of Vicar of Saint Andrew Grange and so began a long and successful association with the church and community. The Rev. Felix was to spend over ten years at St. Andrew, during which he also served as Chaplain at Halton General Hospital (1995 to 1999) and Rural Dean in the Frodsham Deanery (1998 – 99).
In 1992, the church welcomed the arrival of the Rev. Peter J. Clement as Deacon and Assistant Curate who would help in pastoral and parish work.
On the 16th of October 1994 saw the first official sermon preached by Mr. Ken Wooldridge, as a licensed reader. The previous day Ken was the first reader in this parish to be licensed during a service at Chester Cathedral. Ken had preached previously, of course, during reader training.
On January 8th 1995 the first Evening Service to follow the new pattern of the Alternative Service Book (ASB) took place and on February 4th the 10.00am Family Service followed suit. The 26th of March 1995 the minimum stay of the Assistant Curate, Rev. Peter Clement closed at the end of the Evening Service. Peter went on to serve a second curacy in the Parish of Manchester Apostles with St. Cuthbert, Miles Platting.
The Ordination of the Rev. Diane Watson took place on July 2nd 1995 at Chester Cathedral as Deacon to serve as Assistant Curate at St. Andrew and so began a period of five wonderful and inspiring years with our first female clergy person. The following year on 23rd June 1996, the Rev. Diane was ordained priest and undertook her first Celebratory Communion.
On the 17th of December 1996, the Rev’d David Felix. Vicar, was also appointed Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Holy Trinity, Runcorn, with the Rev’d Diane Watson as Assistant Curate in both parishes. Thereby creating the Central Runcorn Parish Unit as planned by the Frodsham Deanery plan, part of the Diocesan Pastoral Review Process.
On Palm Sunday, 23rd March 1997 there was a change in the annual procession of witness that originally wound it’s way around the Parish of St. Andrew. This year the Procession of Witness started at St. Andrew and wound it’s way to Holy Trinity Church, Runcorn via Wicksten Drive Christian Centre. The Procession of Witness walk now alternates every year, starting either at Holy Trinity or St. Andrew’s.
From Tuesday 2nd September to Saturday the 6th of September 1997, St. Andrew’s Church remained open from 9.00am to 6.00pm each day to allow the people of the Parish and beyond to say a prayer, light a candle and sign a book of condolence, in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, who was killed in a car accident in Paris in the early hours of August 31st 1997. During this period nearly two thousand people came into church.
In June 1999, the Churchwardens announced the appointment of the Rev’d. Wayne Lautenbach as Priest-in-Charge of both Parishes following the appointment of the Rev. David Felix as Vicar of All Saint’s, Daresbury. A predecessor at All Saint’s was the Rev. Charles Dodgson, father of Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Ludwig Dodgson), author of many literary works, including the famous children’s book “Alice in Wonderland”. Lewis Carroll spent the first eleven years of his childhood in Daresbury.
The Reverend Felix preached his last service on Sunday 4th July 1999, which marked the end of his ministry as Vicar of St. Andrew and P-in-C of Holy Trinity. His ministry began at St. Andrew on June 8th 1989. David’s posts of Hospital Chaplain and Rural Dean passed to the Rev. Anne Samuels, Associate Minister of St. Mary’s, Halton. The Rev. Anne Samuels was the first woman Rural Dean in the Diocese of Chester.
Bishop Michael of Birkenhead inducted the Rev. David Felix at Daresbury Church on the 31st of August 1999. Many of the parishioners were present at All Saint’s to wish Rev. Felix bon voyage and at St. Andrew’s the following evening, September 1st, to witness Bishop Michael induct and welcome our new Priest-in-Charge, the Reverend Wayne Lautenbach. Wayne and family had previously spent a short time at St. James, Latchford, having emigrated from South Africa.
The year 2000AD arrived and with it the new millennium. A combined service was held on Sunday 2nd of January at Holy Trinity Church to mark the start of the new millennium.
On 14th of May, 2000, the 3rd Sunday after Easter, witnessed the final service of celebration for the period the Rev. Diane and Paul Watson were in the parishes of St. Andrew and Holy Trinity. Our music group and choir sang a special tribute to Diane; a song recorded in the 1950’s by Ray Stevens titled “Turn your Radio on” extolling listeners to get in touch with God. This song was to feature later, as a special interlude in the radio broadcast mentioned below. It should be noted that Diane did much good work in supporting the Rev. David Felix during his period of Chaplaincy at Halton Hospital. The Rev. Diane Watson left to become Rector of the Parishes St. Bartholomew, Thurstaston and St. Chad’s, Irby on the Wirral peninsular with the good wishes of both congregations.
The main celebratory event for the new millennium was a gathering of some 28,000 persons from Merseyside, Cheshire and Manchester at Tatton Park, Knutsford for a festive event called “Catch The Dream” organised by Churches in Cheshire. The event was held on Trinity Sunday, the 18th of June and the weather was perfect. Many people took with them picnic baskets and enjoyed the occasion basking in brilliant sunshine. Entertainment was provided for all ages from children’s activities to workshops for adults. In the main arena, a program of choral music accompanied by a massed Salvation Army band entertained the visitors. At five pm, Archbishop David of York and Bishop Peter of Chester led a service of unity and celebration. A disco rounded off the evening for the teenagers and the young at heart.
Co-incidental to the afore-mentioned event, on Trinity Sunday morning, BBC Radio Merseyside broadcast their “United in Song” service recorded at Holy Trinity Church, Runcorn and led by the Rev. Wayne Lautenbach. Many of our congregation participated in the service.
On the 3rd of December we celebrated Advent Sunday and St. Andrew Patronal Festival using the new Common Worship Services book for the first time.
The 1st of July 2001 many members of the congregation witnessed in Chester Cathedral, the ordination of the Rev. Neil Redeyoff, our newly appointed curate as Deacon and just over twelve months later, on 13th July 2002, the Rev. Neil was ordained into the priesthood to become Assistant Curate of both parishes. The following day (Sunday 14th July) a combined service was held at St. Andrew, for the first celebration of Holy Communion by the Rev. Neil Redeyoff, which included the Baptism of Neil’s baby son Joseph Thomas Redeyoff.
During 2001 much energy was expended in planning for the future. It was decided to rename our Sunday school and give it modern image, who better to ask than the children themselves. They came forward with the idea to call the gathering ‘Andy’s Acorns’ Club, Andy because of St. Andrew of course, and acorns as the seed of the mighty oak tree in which we hope they will grow in line with the values in our mission statement.
November 2001 saw the launch of first our web site; the program was up and running for four years before parish boundary changes forced a re-write.
Also in 2001, the church had a number of problems that needed rectifying, namely huge willow trees that needed felling to remove the danger to the public of fallen branches, also damage to the site drains and car park road surface. This work was undertaken and the area replanted with more suitable fauna. Recognition of impending legislation, the Disability Act (2004), focused our attention on areas where we could improve our buildings to the benefit of our community. With the help of expertise of our new curate and perseverance of church members in fund raising, we were able to install a new sound system incorporating a loop system for hard of hearing patrons. This project was completed mid-2002. Disability access is an outstanding project although access to the church is available by other means than the main entrance.
In Spring 2003, the office was relocated and the room converted to a crèche/ family room for mothers with young children. A speaker was installed so mum’s can follow the service. Mrs. Catherine Redeyoff, wife of the Rev. Neil, led this project as part of her training as a Parish Assistant. Catherine was commissioned at a Celebration Eucharist at Chester Cathedral on Friday June 20th 2003.
On Sunday 29th of June 2003, a very special service was held in celebration of 29 years of ‘The Pram Service’. Some 70 mums (many past participants) and 31 children were there to honour Mrs Edie Ashley who with Mrs Anne Harper and many other ladies have run the Pram Service since it's inception in 1974. Edie has finally decided to 'hang up her reins' and we wish her well on her retirement and thank her for many loyal years of helping pre-school children to begin their walk with Jesus in their lives. However, as one wonderful chapter closed another opened and in autumn 2003 we witnessed the birth of Andy's Ark, named such as to be a forerunner to Andy’s Acorns Club. Andy's Ark was launched in September 2003 and continued to follow a similar pattern set by The Pram Service.
Chester Cathedral was the venue for many of the congregation of both Holy Trinity and St. Andrew on Saturday 11th October 2003. The occasion was a Service of Admission and Licensing of Glynnis, wife of the Rev'd Wayne Lautenbach. The following day, Sunday at an All Age Communion Service at St. Andrew Grange, presided by the Reverend Wayne, Glynnis preached her first 'official' sermon.
On Sunday November 16th, the Rev Wayne Lautenbach announced that he would be leaving the parishes of St. Andrew and Holy Trinity after four years and four months for pastures new. The Rev Wayne moved to St. Stephen's, Prenton, Birkenhead, early in the New Year and preached his last sermon at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday December 28th 2003.
December 2003 brought disaster to the community when Halton Lodge Junior School was burnt down two days before the school broke up for the Christmas Holidays. The Rev. Wayne was quick to respond and opened the church as a focal point for the education authority, teachers, parents and pupils. One can only imagine what a massive logistical problem ensued, relocating pupils to schools with spare capacity until a temporary mobile school (called ‘The Village’) could be erected on land that was the schools sports field.
Head teacher, Mrs Gaynor Dickson continue to take the opportunity of the hospitality of the church by inviting parents and assembling pupils on many Fridays into 2004. The purpose was two-fold, one as an information source and two to present certificates recognising the achievements of the children under extreme circumstances. On one occasion, churchwardens B. Corless and N. Miller were pleased to accept on behalf of the church, a shield acknowledging the profound gratitude of the school staff and pupils for the kindness of the Parish A permanent school building was constructed and occupied in October 2005.
As a new year dawned (2004) so the Parishes of St. Andrew and Holy Trinity moved into a period of interregnum. The Parishes coped ably with the assistance of our Curate, the Rev. Neil Redeyoff until May 30th when Neil preached his last service in St. Andrew's Church before leaving to take the Post of Rector of All Saints, Darfield, Barnsley in the Diocese of Sheffield. Although the Rev. Neil Redeyoff was our guide and mentor until May 30th 2004 our period of interregnum began at the end of December 2003 when the Rev. Wayne Lautenbach left for St. Stephen’s Church at Prenton, Birkenhead.
This period of interregnum lasted for 19 months, far too long and which had far-reaching consequences.
Firstly, plans for a new vision for the church developed by the last incumbent and the PCC with the involvement of Chester Diocese were put on hold. At that time our Sunday school was growing and we recognised the need for a part-time liaison worker to co-ordinate and work with the local schools and other bodies to promote growth in this area and with the ‘Mums and Tots’ group. Funding was assured from Chester Diocese for the project. Then two of our three main stalwarts of the current Sunday school and ‘Mums and Tots ‘left to live in other districts and one had work commitments to honour, so first the Mums and Tots group then the Sunday school was suspended. Secondly, if that was not a big enough burden to bear we then heard from the diocese that the Church in Central Runcorn Parish Unit was to be reorganised and St. Andrew’s Church was to become a stand-alone parish once more.
Furthermore St. Michael’s and All Angels and All Saints’ Churches were to be reorganised and St. Michael’s was also to become a stand-alone parish. This meant that our links and friendships with Holy Trinity and Wicksten Drive Christian Centre would be severed after almost 8 years (December 17th 1996). The last joint service (for St. Andrew’s Day) was held at St. Andrew’s Church on Sunday 5th December 2004, led by Rev. W. Douglas Jamieson, a retired clergyman (mentioned later). The following day, Monday December 5th 2004, the Reverend John Hayes having relinquished ties with St. Michael’s, became Priest-in-charge at Holy Trinity Church with special responsibility for the Anglican worshippers at Wicksten Drive and together with All Saints’ Parish Church formed a new parish unit.
A further problem came into full focus in February 2005 regarding the Church Hall, first used in 1959. When the long time tenants of our church hall “the Ladybirds” a children's pre-school nursery, relocated to a refurbished building, namely the old ‘Halton Lodge Infant School”, with the blessing of the Government’s ’Sure Start’ scheme, the loss of income from this source highlighted concerns that the building had outlived it’s usefulness to the community. It was estimated that the building would require many thousands of pounds for a facelift and the church would be unable sustain its upkeep, at a considerable loss, at this time. The PCC decide to open a discussion period on a framework to replace the building with something more in keeping with the 21st century, meanwhile the hall has been closed pending these plans.
The period of interregnum was not all gloom and doom, during that time we were ministered by three retired clergy, the Rev. Eric W. Taylor, Rev. W. Douglas Jamieson and the Rev. David R. Nevett. All three had rich experiences to share with the congregation. Unfortunately illness curtailed Rev. Taylor’s visits but stepping in, while on a visit to this country to trace his family history, the Rev. David Nevett, from Saskatchewan, Canada shared his experiences of the church in Canada.
During 2004/5 if it is fair to bear in mind that Frodsham Deanery was undergoing a Chester Diocesan led Pastoral Review brought about by incumbent movements and retirements, with many Anglican Churches in Runcorn experiencing change.
So it was with thankful hearts that in June 2005 we welcomed the news that our interregnum was to end with the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Udobata Rufus Onunwa. The Rev. Udobata is from Nigeria where he has served as an Archdeacon and came to us from Crosslinks, a mission agency working mainly within the Anglican Communion. Udobata was based in Birmingham and served the entire Diocese in the North West region. The Rev. Dr. Udobata Rufus Onunwa was licensed as Priest-in-Charge on Tuesday July 19th 2005 by the Rt. Rev. Alan David Chesters. Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Chester Diocese. We welcomed also Mrs Dorothy Onunwa, Udobata’s good lady.
Following the service a reception was held for visiting dignitaries, Udobata’s friends from Birmingham and our congregation.
We thank God for the privilege of being able to record some of the highlights in the life of the Parish of St. Andrew Grange from it’s inception to present day of October 2005.
Grace and Thanksgiving
We thank Thee,
Lord, for quiet upland lawns,
For misty loveliness of autumn dawns,
For gold and russet of the ripened fruit,
For yet another year’s fulfilment, Lord,
We thank Thee now.
For joy of glowing colour, flash of wings,
We thank Thee, Lord; for all the little things
That make the love and laughter of our days,
For home and happiness and friends, we praise
And thank Thee now.
Elizabeth Gould RETURN TO TOP