Saint Stephen On-the-Cliffs

Parish Clergy: Vicar, Canon Andrew Sage

Lady Chap
Galahad
Actors' chap
shapeimage_13

St Stephen On-The-Cliffs, Holmfield Road, Blackpool, FY2 9RB Telephone Parish Office: 01253 353894 Email: ststephensoffice@aol.com

Geoffrey Gower-Jones 1950 - 1981

1950 The Revd Geoffrey Gower-Jones arrives in the parish. Not long in his new parish, he is faced with a burst boiler, a leaking roof, the demise of the Compton Organ and an ongoing debt of £7000!

1950 – 51 The debt cleared by two very successful bazaars, fund raising and donations.

1952 The Silver Jubilee of the ‘new’ church – a full week of worship, thanksgiving and celebration. The new vicarage is built, a new ‘temporary’ organ is installed, the BBC broadcasts two services and plans are made to start up the daughter church which will become St Anne’s, Greenlands.

1953 Coronation year and, as well as special services and parish celebrations, St Stephen's now has two curates, and is a training parish for young clergy.

1956 The Church Times of August features St Stephen's with a selection of photographs.

1957 In March the exterior aspect of the Church and its grounds is enhanced by the gift of a professionally laid out garden. The new Chapel of All Souls, once the Columbarium, is consecrated by the Bishop of Lancaster in June.

Induc Fr Geoffrey

The Induction of Father Geoffrey, 14th July 1950

shapeimage_9

The Chapel of All Souls (Columbarium) is completed in 1957

1959 The Centre-Stone of St. Anne’s Greenlands is laid by Lawrence Wright, the song writer and publisher.

1961 The finished St Anne’s Greenlands church/hall is dedicated by the Bishop of Lancaster.

1962 Father Gower-Jones is made a Canon of Blackburn Cathedral and becomes Rural Dean of Blackpool.

1964 Christian Stewardship begins with a Campaign of Instruction, Visiting and a Family Supper at the Winter Gardens

1965 To call the people to worship, there is a new bell named John in memory of a child

shapeimage_13

1969 The 50th Anniversary of the founding of the parish is celebrated by what has become the traditional week of festivities starting on Missionary Sunday and culminating on Anniversary Sunday with a procession round the parish. This event is attended by many former curates and ordinands.

1971 The urge to build sets in again and the new porch, with its practical amenities, is dedicated in November by the Bishop of Blackburn.

1966 Father Gower-Jones becomes Archdeacon of Lancaster.

1967 The north Chancel arch is enriched by the special carving of the praying hands of S. Stephen at his martyrdom.

Hands

1972 The new High Altar is consecrated. Continuity is ensured by the transfer of the central stone from the old to the new altar table.

1974 The ‘temporary’ Hamilton organ, installed in 1952, needs replacing. The end of the year sees the new Willis organ transported from St. Philip’s, Blackburn. The Vicar celebrates his Silver Jubilee in the Parish.

1975 Work on the installation of the new organ is complete and it is dedicated by the Bishop of Lancaster on the 7th September, with an inaugural recital on October 9th by the organist of York Minster.

1977 The Golden Jubilee Dedication Festival of the ‘new’ church’ is commemorated by a special Sung Eucharist. A magnificent Flower Festival is held, a breathtaking display to complement the beauty and dignity of the church interior.

1981 Archdeacon Geoffrey Gower-Jones retires as vicar. His thirty years of leadership are acknowledged in the many tributes paid to him.