St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

St Andrew's, the parish church of Dearnley and Smithy Bridge, is an Anglican Church, worshipping God as revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

The church is not visible from the main road, but we like to think of it as our 'hidden gem'. We are an inclusive church, welcoming all who seek God regardless of sex, race, age or sexual orientation.

In our worship vestments are worn, incense is used and we have a robed choir of men, women and children. A sound system is used with loop availability for those who need it. We are committed to a programme of improvements to make the facilities at St Andew's more accessible to all.

We serve the parish and the communities of Dearnley and Smithy Bridge, which provides us with a catchment area of some 8,000 people and growing.

On most Sundays at St Andrew's we have Eucharist at 8.00am; Sung Eucharist at 10.00am (undoubtedly the focal point of the week); and often Holy Baptism at pre-arranged times.

Children of all ages are welcomed with open arms. During Sung Eucharist at 10.00am we have an infant church for under-7s in the parish room at the back of church (parents should stay with babies and toddlers) and a junior church for 7 to 12 year olds, which is held in the vicarage nearby during school term time.

We have direct links with the parish of St Mary, Omboloka, Namibia and, nearer home, we are totally committed to an ever-expanding community programme which involves the development of links with local organisations or groups who might wish to use our facilities.

On that theme, the St Andrew's cafe was open last Saturday morning between 9.30am and 11.00am for tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches, catering for anyone who would like to drop in for a "bacon buttie" and a chat.

The hungry young footballers from Wardle who use the playing fields behind the church sometimes come in for their post-match refreshment. We can't promise them divine intervention on the football field we can promise them a good bacon buttie.

We are situated on Arm Road, Dearnley, OL15 8NJ, off the main Rochdale to Littleborough road and behind Dearnley Post Office.