Focus on Newhey: St Thomas’ Church

St Thomas' Church Newhey

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St Thomas’ Church, Newhey, was built by the Heap family in 1876. It is a replica of Holy Trinity Church in Weston-super-mare, Somerset which was built 15 years before.

The church is situated up in the hills behind St Thomas’ Primary School. The intention of building the church was to bring the community together. Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild met with the Church’s priest in charge, Graham Lindley, to find out more… Mr Lindley has been at St Thomas’ Church for the past nine years. He described the church as a “generous size” in comparison to the size of the village. Speaking about the build he said the Church has remained largely unchanged until before a dreadful arson attack ruined it in the December of 2007, just 3 days before Christmas.

Speaking about the fire, Mr Lindley said: “It was the 21 December, 2007; we were getting ready for Christmas. Fortunately we had the school and were able to transfer down there. It was an experience worth having. We had the bare essentials for worship – the people. I think it moved us all spiritually and it made us realise and value what the important things in life are.

“It was quite interesting how it worked being in the school, because we had the classrooms there we ran Sunday school at the same time as the service and that encouraged parents to stay rather than just drop their children off and leave. There was a real sense of togetherness.”

The church was smoke damaged, the organ was completely damaged and electric and sound system of the church was ruined.

Repairing the Church was a major project. For at least 18 months church services were carried out at St Thomas’ School at the bottom of the hill.

When the repairs were carried out at the Church some changes were made which Mr Lindley thinks will set it in good stead for the future.

An intimate side chapel was created in the corner of the building which had suffered extensive fire damage, the Church font was moved to the front of the building, and a social area was created at the rear of the Church. Three rooms were created, a meeting room, a toilet and a kitchen. Some of the pews are on wheels enabling them to be moved or position on an angle.

Mr Lindley said: “I had a vision to try and have something that suits us now and leaves potential for the future – I don’t know how people will worship in the future and I didn’t want everything screwed down.”

The church is now more or less complete; however, it currently has a carpet fund in the hope of carpeting the church throughout.

“We came back in May 2009,” said Mr Lindley “There was still a bit of work to do but it was safe to come and worship. Now we are more or less done. People love it. They really do. It was well loved before as well. The changes have been very well received.

“The biggest reaction we have is at weddings and baptisms were people visit from different places.”

Mr Lindley said: “I suspect this is one of the best Churches in the Diocese, in a structural sense at least.”

“The people that love the Church the most are the brides,” said Mr Lindley.

Speaking about the Church’s congregation Mr Lindley said: “We have a good healthy congregation in sense of numbers and age mix. We have got from zero to 90 years old.”

The Church’s services are on a Thursday and a Sunday, “In terms of bodies in the building we have up to 80 people that includes children.

“That is a good number.

“When we have special services such as the Christingle service the church is buzzing and that is a really nice feeling.”

Mr Lindley continued: “Being linked with the school is a real plus. I know the children and they know me.”

Speaking about his role as the Church’s Priest Mr Lindley said: “I like being alongside people in the happy and the sad times. I’m very open and friendly and approachable and if someone comes to me with a need I will try to, as a Church we will try to, meet that need. I want to be inclusive and involve everybody.

“This is what one feels called to do. To be alongside people is a privilege.

“I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

This year Mr Lindley is also the Mayor of Rochdale’s Chaplain, he says the prayers before the full council meeting as part of his role, he said: “I am finding it very interesting.”

At St Thomas’ Mr Lindley works alongside Priest Sue Ward who is a hospital chaplain from the Pennine Acute Trust.

When asked what the future holds for the Church Mr Lindley said: “This is very much the village Church. The village wants to be here for many generations for their children and grandchildren to be married and baptised here. Following recent events I think the building is well placed to meet the needs of the future. The congregation is thriving and if any church can look forward with optimism then this is one of them.”