Parish Clergy: Vicar, Canon Andrew Sage
St Stephen On-The-Cliffs, Holmfield Road, Blackpool, FY2 9RB Telephone Parish Office: 01253 353894 Email: Ststephensoffice@Aol.com
Frank Bertram Freshwater 1919 - 1950
Geoffrey Gower-Jones 1950 - 1981
Anthony Ainsley 1981 - 1995
Peter Walsh 1995 - 2003
Andrew George Sage 2004 -
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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
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.
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 Warden ‘The Church on the Cliffs’.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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
1949 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.
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.
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.
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. A seven month interregnum follows and his successor, Canon Anthony Ainsley (Fr Tony) arrives in September with his wife Serena.
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.
1995 The year opens as an interregnum and in January a new window above the columbarium entrance is dedicated in memory of Father Geoffrey . In April Peter Walsh, Pauline, his wife and their children arrive and on the 25th Father Peter is instituted and inducted as the fourth vicar of the church. He is chaplain to the RNLI and also continues the tradition of welcoming both the Dunkirk and the Normandy veterans to their special services. He first meets them to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V.E. Day on May 7th. Father Peter institutes a massive refurbishment of many areas including Halls, vestries ,cellars, toilets and ambulatory over two years. Within months of his arrival he states his determination to complete the west end of the church. By the end of the year the Handbell team is restarted.
1996 A Social Team is formed and still exists . The first programme includes events as varied as Cheese and Wine Parties, a walk in the Lakes and a Treasure Hunt. Father Peter and Pauline are deeply committed to the young people of the parish, taking them on visits to Appleby, involving them in practical activities like the redecorating of the Halls and enjoying fun activities. The Group are known as the Light Society. During this year the pews are restored and provisional plans are made for a Garden of Repose , now becoming necessary as the Chapel of all Souls is almost full. In May the first Tea Dance is held. This is highly successful and remains so to the present day. The profits of that first year pay for essentials in the kitchen . A successful Stewardship Campaign is held in October. To round off the year a Mystery Trip (to Chester) takes place.
1997 The Garden of Repose is consecrated by the Bishop of Lancaster.
1999 The Stations of the Cross are given to the Church on Advent Sunday.
2002 The new Narthex and Baptistery are consecrated in the presence of the Archbishop of York, Fr David Hope, and the Bishop of Blackburn, Fr Alan Chesters.
2003 Father Peter leaves and so the year begins and ends as an interregnum. Local and retired clergy step into the breach. As always at times like this, the churchwardens and other committees care for the running of the church. The traditional events of the S. Stephen’s Year are held and numerous social events also take place. In June Cantantes Domino sing Solemn Evensong for the festival of S.S Peter and Paul and in August the annual Pilgrimage to Walsingham takes place. At this point in time there is still a shortfall of £ 17,000 to find to finish paying for the Narthex. The church is open for Heritage Weekend (a national event) in September. In November Cantantes Domino sing Solemn Evensong to celebrate Christ the King and the year ends with a visit to the Children’s Ice Show in December.
2004 For Passion Sunday , Cantantes Domino sing The Crucifixion. In March the new Bishop of Blackburn , the Rt. Rev’d Nicholas Reade is consecrated at York Minster. Margaret Gower – Jones, Father Geoffrey’s wife, dies. A Taste of India is the theme for this year’s Missionary Lunch in April. At last all the money for the Faith in the Future Appeal is raised - a total of £373,794. In June, after a long interregnum we hear that our new Vicar is to be Father Andrew Sage who comes to us from Chichester Diocese. Also in June Cantantes Domino sing Solemn Evensong and in August, Eric Taylor, our Organist and Choirmaster for more than 20 years, resigns. On September 19th the Induction of Father Andrew is held and is followed a week later by a Parish Lunch. The church is open once again for Heritage Weekend. October brings the celebration of the success of the Wednesday Tea Dance with a dinner dance and a number of other social events take place. New Mass books are introduced in November.
2005 A decision is made in January to launch Phase 2 of our Appeal, this time for the windows and lighting. It is aptly called “The Lighten our Darkness Appeal”. The Parish also joins Forward in Faith. In February our new Organist, Mr. Philip Berry, is appointed. An appeal is made to the congregation to increase their Stewardship. Rewiring is carried out in the ancillary buildings. A Gift Day is held in March for The Lighten our Darkness Appeal. In June for the first time in the history of the church, two Junior Churchwardens are appointed to represent the younger members. Cantantes Domino sing Solemn evensong under the leadership of their new Organist. The Heritage Weekend is held in September. In November Lay Ministers are appointed to assist with the administration of the Blessed Sacrament. Cantantes Domino give a concert at Cross Street Chapel in Manchester and also sing Solemn Evensong for Christ the King at S.Stephen’s. In December a fund raising Variety Concert raises £150 for the Appeal and in the same month Bispham High School students present a concert of Christmas music which raises £332, again for the Appeal.
2006 January - Epiphany is celebrated with the blessing and distribution of chalk which is used to mark the doorway of church and homes with the traditional signs of blessing and prayer. February – We are joined by John Squires who is training to be an ordained local minister and who is doing a placement with us till Easter. The rewiring of the church is completed. Social events include a Tabletop Sale and a Pancake Tuesday Singalong. April – Cantantes Domino perform Faure’s Requiem . The Missionary Lunch is on April 23rd (S. George’s Day ) Roast beef is the order of the day. May – The Guardian Band entertain us and later in the month Bispham High School Gospel Choir raise £241 for the Appeal. Major problems with the organ are now being experienced and £20,000 is needed to repair it. June – The Make the Difference Appeal is launched in an attempt to encourage an increase in Stewardship giving. Without this the daily upkeep of the church will flounder. After two months of campaigning the response is encouraging. July – Cantantes Domino sing Choral evensong and also perform Faure’s Requiem in Manchester, together with other sacred music. The Summer Fair raises £1,612 for the Appeal . September – The parish lunch is held. A service is held at the Hospice. October –Harvest and Back to Church Sunday are successfully combined. Choral Evensong is followed by the Harvest Supper. Work begins on the restoration of the organ. Flooding beneath the floor in the large Hall causes the floor to buckle and puts the hall out of use for several months. The Mothers’ Union celebrate their 75th anniversary.The Bishop of Blackburn presides at the Sung Eucharist which is followed by a buffet in the small hall. S.Stephen’s surfs into the 21st century. We are now ‘on – line’. November – Razzle Dazzle, a musical revue, is presented by The Hidden Talents, a new theatre group drawn from the choir and congregation. Work begins on the windows and stonework of the clerestory. £25,000 is still needed. December – Because of the repairs to the hall the Christmas Fair cannot be held. A Church Open Day and Coffee Morning takes place in the Baptistery and small hall instead. On the 15th a concert is given by Bispham High School Gospel Choir.
2006 The Narthex – sherry after Mass
2007 Flower Festival.
2008 - 2011 The organ, stonework and many large windows are restored. The boiler is replaced and both the church and the parish centre suffer from storm damage, fire and floods.
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