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1908 “We sing hymns around the piano on Sunday evenings, do come and join us.” Amos Mather of Knowle Avenue, Blackpool. This informal Sunday night worship is the seed from which St Stephen’s grows

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1910 In April, the decision is made to purchase the land on which to build the Mission Church. Housing development means more people and the ‘hymn singers’ move to Clifton College, Knowle Avenue and in summer to The Serenaders’ Enclosure at Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

1911 In July, the Revd F. B. Freshwater is appointed as curate attached to All Hallows Bispham and in charge of the Mission Church. A month later the Corner-stone of the Mission Church is laid. The small band of generous and   devoted people of All Hallows Parish, Bispham, led by the Rector makes this  possible.image2

1912
The original church [now the hall] is opened and dedicated by the Bishop of Manchester. Standing among green fields, and accessible from the tram track by a causeway of old railway sleepers it is dubbed by the first People’s image3Warden ‘The Church on the Cliffs’.

1913 In July, Revd Freshwater states, “building is proceeding all round us, and before long Our church will be too small. Let the Church be first, i.e. before the people, so in time to come when, instead of green fields, there are houses, those who occupy them will say thank you for providing us with a Church in which to worship.”

1914-18 – In spite of the distress and hardships of the Great War, under the leadership of their energetic vicar, the ever-growing congregation surges ahead. They donate beautiful furnishings to their small church, but never lose sight of their ultimate goal, to build a magnificent, soaring parish church to the glory of God.

1919 On 27th June, an Order In Council published in the London Gazette, creates St Stephen’s a parish in its own right and the Revd F. B. Freshwater is inducted as Vicar on October 24th.
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1925> In June, the first sod on the site is cut by the Mayor of Blackpool, a parishioner. Councillor T. P. Fletcher, J.P. In July 1 the foundation stone is laid by Dr William Temple, Bishop of Manchester and later Archbishop of York then Canterbury.


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<1927 St. Stephen on the Cliffs is consecrated by the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Blackburn. The financial position allows only for the East End and the first two bays of the Nave to be completed at cost of £21,220 leaving an outstanding debt of £13,490. The parish is confident that this will soon be paid off.

1929 The link between Church and Stage is strengthened when actors and artistes subscribe to and make possible the creation of the Actors’ Chapel. Enormous crowds are drawn to St Stephen’s by the Church and Stage Services.

1932-39 In spite of financial difficulties the superb tradition of Anglo-Catholic worship continues to flourish. St. Stephen's reputation for high quality music is established. The first radio service is broadcast. The Sunday School is overflowing, the Hand-bell Ringers go from strength to strength and the custom of electing a Rose Queen to represent the young people becomes an annual event. The Mothers Union thrives and a Guide Company and Scout Troop are formed

1939-45 The war years bring great changes, with the influx of evacuees, soldiers and airmen instead of holidaymakers and the departure on active service of many young people, some never to return. To cope with the Blackout Evensong is 3 0' clock in the afternoon and early Communion is held by the light of two candles only.

1948 The social life of the parish flourishes once more with a whole week of services, celebrations and special events to mark the 21st Birthday of the Church. £2,300 is raised towards paying off the church debt

image61949 St. Stephen's once again makes history by becoming the first church to incorporate a Columbarium. This chapel of repose for the ashes of departed parishioners is consecrated by the Bishop of Blackburn.

1950 On 29th March 1950, after 39 years of service to St. Stephen's, Canon Frank Bertram Freshwater dies. He is greatly mourned. 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.

image71957 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.

The Chapel of All Souls (Columbarium) is completed and 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

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

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.

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.

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

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2002 The new porch (Narthex) Consecrated by the by the Archbishop of York.

2006 The installation of new lighting in the church.

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2006 The Narthex – sherry after Mass