Unitarian Church celebrates 40th anniversary

Unitarian Church 40th anniversary - Stuart Watson, Mayoress Beverley Place, General Assembly President Marion Baker and Joyce Ashworth

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The Rochdale Unitarian Church has celebrated its 40th anniversary in its building on Clover Street this weekend (Saturday 26 July and Sunday 27 July).

Joyce Ashworth from the church said: “We decided to celebrate this anniversary because we thought that in a few more years, we may not have the energy to hold this type of celebration again so we wanted to do it now.”

On Saturday, the church held an afternoon tea event for 70 people and held a special church service this afternoon (Sunday 27 July), which was attended by the Mayoress of Rochdale, Beverley Place.

“We have seen people travel from all over to come to these celebrations. We have had people from Lancaster and Birmingham come to Rochdale for the weekend to help us celebrate this anniversary,” said Joyce.

The church was originally split over two locations - one on Blackwater Street and one on Clover Street. Those buildings were then demolished and the building that stands on Clover Street now was built and has been used since.

Joyce said: “I have a lot of memories of my time at the church. I have been involved with the church since I was about seven years old and have to put a lot of my younger social events and times down to the church.”

The church also plays an important part in the Rochdale community as it is used by a number of groups and organisations.

“During the week we are usually busy with people using the rooms and hiring the space out so there is always something going on,” said Joyce.

The church has been without a minister for the past twelve months and will welcome new minister Shammy Webster to the church from 1 September.

Joyce added: “We haven’t had a minister for the past year so when Shammy starts in September, we are hoping it will give us some sort of revival.”