St Andrew’s Church celebrate 120th anniversary

St Andrew’s Church 120th anniversary

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St Andrew’s Church in Dearnley celebrated its 120th anniversary today (Saturday 26 September).

Fundraising to build the church began in 1889 and after initial setbacks, including the re-routing of a watercourse and checking the proximity of coal workings, construction was sanctioned.

On 1 July 1893, Dr MacGill laid the first stone. The planned cost was £2,517 but costs ran up to £3,017. On Thursday 25 September 1895, Dr Moorhouse, the Bishop of Manchester, consecrated the completed church at 11:30am.

To celebrate the historic anniversary, a number of events have been held at the church over the weekend.

Today saw a flower festival and band concerts take place.

Revd. Sharon Jones said: “We have had hundreds of people coming along. It has been great. We have had the Mayor in attendance, as well as Councillor Ashley Dearnley and St Andrew's Church choir.

“We wanted to celebrate the anniversary because we believe the church is really about the community and it was about bringing the community into the church and celebrating that. People don’t only come to church on a Sunday but they come for many reasons so we wanted to celebrate that as well.”

As well as the flower festival, Wardle Junior Blast Band performed and the Anderson Band took part in an anniversary concert.

Celebrations will continue on Sunday (27 September) throughout the day.