ST BARNABAS’ 60 Years Ago - from an article in St. Barnabas newsletter “HERALD”

At the inaugural service of St. Barnabas’ in 1943 at Bredbury Hall, there were 29 communicants and the collection came to £5.11s 0d (£5.59). The curate ,Maurice Henry took the service. (Later, to be Canon Henry, who died two years ago)

Retiring collections were held after each service from October to Christmas 1943 for “Soldiers Comforts”.

The first meeting of the Dance Club was held in November 1943, membership 5p, weekly dancing 1½p.

SORT THIS OUT! - Verbatim from Church Committee 1944
Mr. T. had accepted our proposition but Mr. B. had not and had promised to write to the Committee to the effect he did not agree but as he had now resigned he was not concerned and the arrangement definitely stands with Mr. T. and he has agreed to this in writing.
(Phew - Ed)

On 19.01.44 P.C.C. it was raised whether whist drives could be carried on through Lent, and the Vicar (of St. Mark’s) was to be consulted on this point.

It was proposed that the lawn at the time in front of Bredbury Hall should be made into a putting green, but this was turned down, in favour of a tennis court, as better financial results could come from this.

It was regretted that no-one wanted to be Father Christmas at the children's Sunday School parties in December 1944!

A STEP FORWARD - an extract from the booklet produced for the Laying of the foundation stone of the New Church of St. Barnabas'

"Saturday, July 11th, 1953 will be a milestone in the history of St. Barnabas Church. The laying of the Foundation Stone of the new Church - Church Hall sets the seal on ten years of worship and work in Lower Bredbury, for it was in May,1943 that the Bishop of Chester dedicated Bredbury Hall as a temporary Church to serve the area

It was then hoped that this would be a wartime expedient only, and that when peace came it would be possible to build a permanent church in the grounds of the Hall.

Rising costs and present day building restrictions have made this original scheme impossible at the present time and though the vision of a fine church building at some future date is not abandoned, for the present we must make do with a compromise. This will consist of the dual purpose building of brick and concrete which you see going up at the present time. It will be of good appearance, permanent and will, when it is found possible to erect a church, serve as Church hall only.

The new building will cost not less than £6,500. Of this £3,000 is on loan, interest free from the Church Commissioners and must be repaid over 20 years. This means that every year, quite apart from normal church expenses, the people of Lower Bredbury will have to find £150 in order to keep their pledged word to the Commissioners.

It has been hinted that this is more than we can manage. The Church Committee are confident that this is not so and have pressed ahead with the scheme in Faith and Prayer. We know that our congregation and friends will not let us down, and a scheme will shortly be outlined whereby all who are interested can help us raise this annual sum"

St. Barnabas' people were and still are a people of Faith and Prayer.