A brief history of the Church of St Andrew
Dearnley village lies midway between Littleborough and Rochdale. It formed during the industrial revolution as workers migrated to the new mills of rural Lancashire, causing tiny, localised hamlets to amalgamate.
Records show that Sunday afternoon services were being regularly held at Little Clegg, in Smithy Bridge village – an early indication of St Andrew’s responsibility for this area, which still continues more than one hundred years later when such extensive building development has taken place both in Smithy Bridge and at Hollingworth Lake.
Fundraising to build the church began in 1889.
After initial setbacks- ie the re-routing of a watercourse and checking the proximity of coal workings construction was sanctioned.
On 1 July 1893 the first stone was laid by Dr. MacGill. The building was to cost £2,517, which eventually ran out to £3,017 by the time extras were added in.
On Thursday 25 September 1895 the completed Church was consecrated at 11.30 am, by Dr Moorhouse, the Bishop of Manchester.
Since the first Vicar, Reverend G R Oakley, there have been:-
Kenneth MacLure 1923-1931
Frank Skinner 1932-1960
Thomas Sumner 1960-1963
Roy Butterworth 1963-1981
David Finney 1981-1994
Peter Davey 1995-2005
Sharon Jones 2006 to present
In 1995 we knew that, having had Vicar of Dearnley for a hundred years, things were to change, and a Priest-in-charge would be appointed. Instead of a Vicar with freehold, who could move on whenever he liked, or stay if he desired, someone was to be appointed for a period of five years, and the Diocese would be able to move him, or her on, to effect the best position for a ministry in the wider church with changing parish sizes and requirements.
A more detailed, printed history is available to buy at the Church.
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