New minister at Rochdale Unitarian Church

Reverend Abi Elliot-McGuffie

Rochdale Unitarian Church has recently welcomed a new minister.

Reverend Abi Elliot-McGuffie was appointed in the new year after spending the last seven years as a member of Bury Unitarian Church, where she was ordained as a minister in 2021.

The Unitarian Church in Rochdale is based on Clover Street and there has been a church on the site for over 200 years, with the first chapel there dedicated in 1818.

Abi said: "I’m delighted to be taking up this role and very much look forward to working with the congregation."

A spokesperson for the church said: “This appointment is an exciting time for both the congregation and minister as we build on our relationship and continue to serve our wider community.”

There is evidence of Unitarians in Rochdale as early as 1512. Blackwater Street Chapel had the distinction of being the oldest non-conformist church in Rochdale, dating from 1717 (replaced in 1856 and demolished in 1972 to make way for the new market). The two congregations of Blackwater Street and Clover Street amalgamated in 1890, with Sunday worship being held in Blackwater Street and Sunday School in Clover Street.

The present building on Clover Street was opened in July 1974 and provides for a wide variety of religious and social activities. The building boasts “pre-Raphaelite” altar windows, designed by famous Victorian artist Edward Burne-Jones, which were retained from the Blackwater Street building and serve as a reminder of shared heritage.

Unitarians practise a style of religious living and worship that encourages people to discover themselves and pursue the divine.

More information about Unitarians in Rochdale can be found here, while the church will welcome anyone who wishes to attend their 10.30am Sunday services.