History

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.”

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

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

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.

During the first four years the central heating system is converted to gas and work takes place on the restoration of the stonework of the windows. The kitchen is refurbished, the church repointed and new albs bought for the servers . The first Heritage exhibition is held and is followed by several others. An Old time Music Hall Society is formed and numerous shows are presented over several years.

1984 In September a mission is led by a team from Mirfield.
Eric Taylor becomes organist .He introduces the performance of works such as Stainer’s ”Crucifixion, Faure’s “Requiem”, Haydn’s “Little Organ Mass” and extracts from “Messiah” which are sung at Passiontide. Much later he is to found Cantantes Domino” whose members support the performance of sacred music.

1986   The Mothers’ Union celebrates its Golden Jubilee.

1987 A Flower Festival is held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the church. In the same year there is a Pilgrimage to Walsingham, which becomes an annual feature. Father Tony is chaplain to the hospital for many years. He, the lay readers and curates do sterling work among the patients.

1988  A stewardship campaign is held.

1989  The guides celebrate their Golden Jubilee and a new Mass book, using Rite B is introduced.

1990  A Flower Festival is held and St.Anne, Greenlands becomes a Parish in its’ own right. The first Vicar is Fr. Stephen Jones.

1991  Serena is commissioned as chair of the Overseas department of the Diocesan Mothers’Union. She is an inspired cook and revolutionises the meals served at church functions. The Scout Group is re opened after a lapse of some years. The porch is given a facelift with curtains and a carpet and the Chapel of All Soulsis redecorated. In May a Parish audit is held, together with a Family conference to discuss outcomes. In December Father Alfred Gower Jones, Father Geoffrey’s brother and a well loved visitor to S. Stephen’s , dies. His funeral is on December 6th.

1992  Another stewardship campaign is held. In September the end of an era is marked when our curate, Ian Page, leaves. He is the last of a long line of curates to receive their training at the church.

 1994  In September Father Tony leaves us to become Reader to the Waddington Hospital.