Rochdale's Faith Communities Announce February Programme
Churches across Rochdale are preparing for a busy February, with a full calendar of services, study groups, community events and a significant environmental project taking centre stage.
Weekly Services and Fellowship
St Luke's Church in Deeplish will hold a service of Holy Communion on Sunday, February 1st at 10am, officiated by Revd Pamela Parr. The service will be followed by tea, coffee, biscuits and an opportunity for fellowship and conversation. On Wednesday, February 4th, the church offers a Bible Study session at 10am, exploring Jesus through Old Testament Eyes, which is open to anyone interested in learning about the Bible in a friendly, informal setting. This is immediately followed by a Morning Praise service at 11am, officiated by Reader Sue Horobin, welcoming both regular congregation members and newcomers to their caring community.
St Mary's in Balderstone sees the restart of its Women's Breakfast this morning, running from 9am to 10.30am in the parish room. The event offers breakfast baps, pastries, fruit and unlimited juice, coffee and tea, accompanied by a short talk on the relevance of the Ten Commandments today. All ladies are welcome, with a special invitation extended to first-time attendees. Tomorrow's morning service begins at 10.30am, continuing the sermon series in Romans, specifically chapter five verses twelve to twenty-one. Doors open from 10am, with children's groups provided, and light refreshments are served afterwards in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Sunday evening prayer takes place tomorrow from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Christ Church on Block Lane, Chadderton (OL9 7QB). For those unable to attend in person, there is an option to join via Zoom. This week's gathering will focus on prayer for our multicultural world and will feature a guest visitor, Katy Knight.
Regular Groups and Activities
St Mary's Under Fives (SMUrFs) group meets on Tuesday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3pm in the parish room. There is a small charge of £1 for one adult with one child, plus an additional 30p for each extra child. The session provides fun activities including play, craft and music for children under five.
The church's midweek small groups meet on Wednesdays, with a daytime session at 10am in the church lounge and an evening group at 7.30pm conducted via Zoom. This term, the groups are studying Samuel, aiming to create small communities where individuals can discover or deepen both faith and friendships. All are welcome to participate.
For further information about events at St Mary's, individuals can visit the church website or contact them via email or Facebook. The Red Cross provides help for refugees at St Mary's every Monday from 10am until 2pm, offering refreshments with free admission.
Special Events and Musical Performances
Next Wednesday, February 4th, St Mary's will host the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert from 12.30pm until 1.30pm, featuring mezzo soprano Imogen Garner and pianist John Gough. Admission is £6.
Tomorrow, Sunday February 1st, marks the celebration of Candlemas, commemorating Christ's presentation at the Temple 40 days after Christmas. At St Mary's, The Eucharist with hymns takes place at 9.15am, with Archdeacon Karen Smeeton as celebrant and preacher. At St Chad's, Choral Eucharist is at 11.15am, featuring hymns, psalm 84 and the anthem Kindle a Light by Fleming, with Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto officiating.
Next Sunday, February 8th, the Second Sunday before Lent, will see The Eucharist with hymns at St Mary's at 9.15am and Choral Matins at St Chad's at 11.15am, both services led by Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto. The Asian Christian Fellowship, which worships at St Chad's on Sunday afternoons, can be contacted for details.
Major Environmental Retrofit Project
St Chad's Church has been selected as one of the Church of England's national Demonstrator Churches in its aim to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. The church has received a Stage 1 grant to design a retrofit net zero heating and energy solution, addressing its current heavy reliance on gas heating.
Stage 1 involves defining a full technical specification and undertaking a structural survey, followed by developing tenders and contracts. Consultants are providing fundraising support and independent technical advice. Extensive roof repairs commenced on January 15th 2026, with new air curtain and draftproofing measures starting over the next month.
An energy audit by Mantis Energy has identified a probable new technical specification including infrared heaters, wet radiators, solar panels with battery storage, and Air to Water heat pump(s) plus an electric boiler (bivalent). This specification has been forwarded to the church architect. The project aims to complete Stage 1 within 12 months and apply for Stage 2, which involves agreeing to the physical works. Further updates will be provided as progress continues.
St Andrews in Dearnley
The church recently held a successful Burns Night evening and continues its regular weekly activities. This week features Morning Prayer on Wednesday at 9.30am and a said midweek Eucharist on Thursday at 10.30am, with light refreshments available afterwards. All are welcome. The prayer group with Mike and Mag continues on January 29th at 1.30pm.
Key February dates include Candlemas on Sunday February 1st, Ash Wednesday on February 18th with a service at 10.30am, and Confirmation on March 15th. Confirmation classes are scheduled for February 14th, 21st, 28th and March 7th between 2pm and 3pm. Interested individuals are encouraged to inquire in church. This month's chosen charity is Oxfam, sponsored by Rev Rachel.
The church shares a reflection from Ephesians 2:8-9, emphasising grace as the unearned favour of God that leads to salvation, a gift rather than something achieved through human effort.
Both St Chad's on Sparrow Hill, Rochdale's ancient Parish Church, and the Grade I listed St Mary in the Baum continue to serve the community, offering children's activities during Sunday morning services and refreshments afterwards. All are warmly welcomed to participate in the diverse range of spiritual and community activities available across Rochdale's churches this February.
