Proud day for St George’s

Photo: Tim Bradley

THE Rev Dave Leaf with the keys to the door of his “new” church.

A CHADDERTON parish is celebrating the start of a new chapter in its 103-year history.


The Rev Dave Leaf has been handed the keys to St George’s Church on Broadway after a £400,000 revamp that marks the church’s role as the borough’s newest parish church.

St George’s was originally built in 1957 as a daughter to Emmanuel Parish Church in Chestnut Street, which was consecrated in 1911.

The M60 split the parish and St George’s took on more significance, while the poor state of the Emmanuel building meant it was no longer safe to use and too expensive to repair. the church moved all its activities to St George’s eight years ago and the church started to thrive, with 300 people a week at services and community groups

The refurbishment was approved last summer and the congregation moved to the Over 60s Centre on Broadway for four months while the building work was completed.

Archdeacon Cherry Vann will lead a “welcome home” service on Mothering Sunday (March 30). The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev David Walker, will also be invited to consecrate the building as the parish centre later in the year.

Mr Leaf added: “The building expresses a great deal of what we hope to do within the community.”