Wigan Album
Standish
12 Comments
Photo: Rev David Long
Item #: 27855
It was given to the church by the Rector, William Leigh (1586-1639). He was also Chaplain to the Earl of Derby, and is known to have preached at Knowsley Hall when Shakespeare (died April 23rd 400 years ago - by coincidence) was visiting with his Players.
Tours of the church will be available on Saturday, June 11th at 10 and 11 am.
Very interesting details Reverend. Are the church tours by booking or do you just have to turn up on the day ?
The tour is very interesting and educational.
Christians' of the locality should attend, if possible, to acknowledge their Christian heritage, no matter what their actual denomination is. As a Christian, I regularly attend at my church. I remember when church pews were all full, and Christian activity was a fundamental part of the community, in all kind of ways, and functions. Now congregations are mostly made up of people with grey hair, bald heads. WHY.Young people, Why. Can any of you explain Why.
I was a St Wilfrids lad, born 1941, in my day, a large number of the day school pupils also attended Sunday school as well, and i would think all parishes did the same, we were brought up knowing religion, that is probably why you are only seeing grey hair and bald heads Albert. Is there such a thing as Sunday school these days ? i would imagine less children are being confirmed now than when i was confirmed, there are certainly less people getting married now than used to. Perhaps Rev Long could answer re Suday school etc.
Roy. It is a great shame. I just can't comprehend as to what has gone wrong. The church was once the backbone of society. Now there is a thing, let's take a good look at present day society. H'mmmmm.
Roy - Sunday Schools still exist, but they struggle against the loads of other things going on on Sundays - especially shopping, and are usually poorly attended. Some churches try to bring youngsters in mid-week instead - to things like 'Messy Church' (held monthly - the latest was yesterday at St Wilfrid's), and week-long Summer Clubs - St Wilfrid's holds one every year. They seem to work, bringing in quite a few kids - but nothing like the hundreds you see in old walking Day pics.
But this is not just about church-going. Getting out of the house - to the pub, the Labour Club etc to meet other people - has been dying out for years.
To try to turn things round Liverpool Diocese have started the 'Transforming Wigan' project in the town. St Wilfrid's isn't involved, because it's in the Diocese of Blackburn, but all the CofE Churches in Wigan will be closed on Sunday (15th May) - and just one Service to mark Pentecost will be held as part of an afternoon of activities for all ages in Alexandra Park, Newtown. Read all about it in today's Wigan Observer....
Reverend. Evangelism in the open air with plenty of music, and singing of religious songs, and quotes from the scriptures, is an excellent way to get people attention, and attendance.
Many years ago, when on holiday in the I.O.M. they held an open air service, on a Sunday, in Douglas. It was always well attended.
My daughter-in-law help with an annual beach mission at Port St Mary on the IoM. A couple of years ago I found an old photo from 1954 in a Wirral junk shop showing such a Mission there. I can't remember what they were doing - but she said straightaway - we still do that!
At my church we will be walking this Sunday afternoon as it is Pentecost. We manage a reasonable turn-out and meet with other churches( about 7 in total) for a service in the town centre. Despite the council and police cutting personnel and charging a fortune to close the roads we still manage to keep the tradition going. However we do get a load of abuse from some car drivers for the 2 minutes it takes for our processions to cross a main road thus preventing the shoppers from getting to the big stores slightly later on a Sunday afternoon.Great when you think of it,Christians stopping the traffic!
As I commented Grannieannie. An assembled Christian gathering, in a large open space, is not interfering with anyone. The only problem that raises its head, is when insurance is required, and how much premium is required.
Reverend. Did you get a good congregation, at the Christian Assembly, in the park, on the 15th inst.?