St Michael's Church, Chester · 08-03-2018 · 6 2341.5678 Se4r6vi56Parish PaiofisleP WelcomtSM St...
Transcript of St Michael's Church, Chester · 08-03-2018 · 6 2341.5678 Se4r6vi56Parish PaiofisleP WelcomtSM St...
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 20184
1. WelcometoStMichael's
2. Abouttheparish
3. Aboutourchurch
4. Wherewearenow&hopesforthefuture
5. Thepersonwearelookingfor
6. WhatmakesChesterspecial?
St Michael's Church, Chester
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 2018 5
We are a church family of 211 adults and about 70 children and young people. The church building is on Devon Road in Newton, Chester. We describe ourselves as Evangelical, with a high view of scripture and a personal relationship with God, and we long to see people from our community find faith.
1. Welcome to St Michael'sWeareengagedwithourlocalcommunitythroughacommunitycaféattheKingswayshopsandaPreSchoolinthechurchbuilding,aToddlergroupandaweeklygroupforolderpeople.Wemeettogetherduringtheweekinhomegroupsandmonthlyprayermeetings.Wesupportmissionaroundtheworldthroughmissionpartners,prayersupportandfinancialgiving.
Sundayservicesareat10amand6.30pmwithtwoservicespermonthat8am.Ourchildrenandyoungpeopleareavitalpartofourfamilyandtheyenjoyedgettinginvolvedinputtingthisdocumenttogether.WehaveafulltimeChildrenandYouthWorkerwhorunsactivitiesduringtheweekandsupportsleadersworkingwiththegroupsonaSunday.
RecentmonthshavebeenencouragingatStMichael's.Somanymembersofourchurchfamilycontinuedtovolunteerandsupportthechurchaswehaveministeredtoeachother.Membersofthecongregationhaveledworshipandpreached;togetherwehavecaredforeachother.
Wearelookingforavicarwhowilljoinourchurchfamilyandleadusforward.
• WearelookingforapersonoffaithwhocanseekGod’sheartforthecommunityinsideandoutsideourchurch.
• WearelookingforaleaderwhowilldevelopplansforthecomingyearsandfocusthegiftsandenergyoftheStMichael'sfamilyaswemoveforwardtogether.
• Wearelookingforapastorwhowillwalkwithusandhelpustomarktimesofcelebrationandsadnessinourlifetogetherasachurch.
Weareprayingforyouasyouconsiderwhethertoapplyforthispost.OurhopeisthatthisprofilewillhelpyouasyoudiscernwhetherGodiscallingyoutojoinandleadusinouradventureoffaith.
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 20186
St Michael’s Church is the parish church of St Michael’s, Plas Newton and is located in Devon Road, Newton, Chester, on the northern corner of the Kingsway housing estate.
NewtonisasuburbofChester(moreinfoaboutthecitylater)inthenortheastcornerofthecity.Itisjustoveramilefromthecitycentreandhasapopulationofapproximately5,250.Theparishwascreatedin1991,asadaughterchurchfromAllSaintsParishChurchinHoole,Chester.Itbeganasanallpurposebuildingin1965,andanextensionin1982createdachurch.
2. About the parishNewtonisessentiallyasuburbandormitoryareawithastaticpopulation.Thehouseswerebuiltmainlyinthe1930s,late40s,and50s,themajoritybeingsemi-detached,mostareowneroccupied.Approximately10%ofthehousingisLocalAuthority(HousingTrust)owned,builtinthelate1950s,andmadeupofhousesandanumberofblocksoflowriseflats,centredaroundtheKingswayShoppingParade.Thepopulationoftheparishcomprisesacrosssectionofsocietywithamixofprofessional,executive,manualandunemployed,withnoonesectorpre-dominating.
Thereisoneprimaryschool,NewtonSchool,situatedinKingswayWest,onepreparatoryschoolandasmallpartofthecampusoftheUniversityofChesternowoccupyingwhatusedtobeKingswayHighSchool.ThereisalargehighschoolsituatedjustovertheparishboundaryintheneighbouringparishofUpton-by-Chester.ThemainshoppingareawithintheparishisontheKingswayestate,intheKingswayShoppingParade,wherethechurchcafé,KingsWayCafé,issituated.KingswayChapel,(FIEC),apartnerwithusintheCaféissituatednearby.ThereareothershopsattheoppositeendoftheparishonBrookLaneandDickson’sDrive.Chesterstationiswithinashortcarrideoraratherlongerwalkaway.TheM53andM56motorwaysarejustafewminutesawaygivingeasyaccesstoLiverpoolandManchesterandtherestofthemotorwaynetwork.Thereisaregularbusserviceintothecitycentre.
Thesocialchallengesaresimilartothoseofthenationasawhole:complexfamilies,elderlypensionersandunemployment.Thereisanewlybuiltresidentialfacilityprovidingindependenthousingfortheelderly,Kingswood,situatedatthetopendofKingswayandanother,NewtonHouse,inPlasNewtonLane.ThereisayouthclubinNewtonLaneandarecreationground,LimewoodFields,situatedneartheKingswayshops,andaccesstothepedestrianandcyclewaythatgoesfromMickleTraffordouttoDeeside.
Our church wardens
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There is so much to say about the church! We have divided it into: services and worship, volunteers on a Sunday, children and young people, community, staff, home groups, mission and the buildings. Our church family is made up of about 211 adults, 31 young people aged 11-18 and 40 children aged under 10. The number of adults on the electoral roll was 193 at the last APCM. We have a weekly service at 10am (the main service), twice monthly Communion at 8am and either a service at 6:30pm or a Café Church service in the afternoon.
Thecongregationhaveprovedtobegenerousandwehavemuchtobethankfulfor.Peoplegivetimetosupporttheworkofthechurchandfinancialgivinghasalwaysbeenadequatetocovercosts.
3. About our church
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 20188
3.1 Servicesandworship
St Michael’s is best described as evangelical. The church has a high view of scripture and personal relationship with God and desires to see people from our community find faith. Most of the adults present at our services have been Christians for many years; people finding faith at our church has been infrequent in recent years. We desire to see this change.
AGatheredChurchAsmallnumberofthecongregationhavebeenlongtermmembersofStMichael’s.ManyothershavebeenpartofotherchurchesinChesterorelsewhereintheUK.Chesterisagatheredcitywithmanypeoplemovingheretoworkinthearea.MembersofStMichael’shavehistoryinotherAnglicanchurches,Baptistchurches,non-denominationalEvangelicalchurchesandCatholicchurches.SomeofthechurchesfromwhichwearegatheredaremorecharismaticormoreconservativethanStMichael’s.
LeadershipandTeachingIntheabsenceofavicar,aMinistryteamof5licensedReaders(includingtwoEmeritus)andtworetiredclergyinitiallyassumedresponsibilityforteachingorpreachingatthemajorityof10amand6:30pmservices.Othermembersofthecongregationhavebeeninvitedtopreachoverrecentmonths.Inall,duringthefirst4monthsof2018,15membersofStMichael’sarescheduledtopreach.Welookforwardtotheteachingministryofournewvicarbutinthisandmanyotherareasthereissupportavailable.Wealsohavealayreaderintraining.
The10amserviceisattendedbyacongregationaveraging135andincludesbabies,children,youthandadultsagedfrom19to90.MusicwhichrangesfromhymnstoHillsongs,isledbyabandofmusicianssomeofwhomarepartofouryouthgroups.Youngermembersofthechurchcurrentlyleavetheserviceafter15minutestoparticipateinchildren’sandyouthgroups.Communionissharedmonthlyat10amserviceswiththechildrenandyoungadultspresent.Thestrengthofrelationshipsandthewelcomeofvisitorsisevidencedbythetimeittakesustosharethepeacewitheachother.CommonWorshipliturgyisused.Prayersinourservicesareledbymembersofthecongregationaswellasthelicensedministryteam.Prayersconsiderbothpersonalstrugglesandglobalissuesandreflectourbeliefinthepowerofthegospeltochangeboth.
ThereareregularAllAgeservices,whenchildrenjointhewholeservice.Duringthesummer,familieswereinvitedtoleadallageservicesfocussedaroundmealswithJesus.Thecreativityandcapabilityofthecongregationwasparticularlyevidentduringthistime.
At6.30pm20-30adultsgatherforworshipthatismorereflectiveandpeacefulthaninthemornings.Theliturgyusually(butnotalways)followsCommonWorship.Itsteachingprogrammeallowsspacefortheaddressingofavarietyofrelevantorexploratorythemes.OnceamonththereisaserviceofHolyCommunionwithPrayerforHealing,whichisofsignificantvaluetoallthosewhoexperiencehealthneeds,orthoseoftheirfriendsorfamilies.
ForfouryearsanafternoonCaféchurchservicehasbeenledbymembersofourcongregation.Theinformalservicefeaturesworship,prayer,discussionandcommunityforallagesinoneroom.ThemesexploredincaféchurchhaveincludedSocialJustice,Prophesy,healing,prayerandtheHolySpirit.Congregationsforthisservicehaverangedfrom50to80people.
TwiceamonthaHolyCommunionserviceusingtheBookofCommonPrayerisheldat8am.Thenumberofbaptismsperyearhasvariedfromfiveto16.Mostofthesearechildrenandbabiesbutfacilitiesfortotalimmersionareavailable.
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3.2 VolunteersonaSunday
Almosteveryoneisononeoftherotasthathelpensureourservicesrunsmoothly.
Wehaveateamof14stewardswhowelcomepeople,setupthechurchandarethereattheendtoclearup.
Refreshmentsaftertheserviceareanimportanttimetocatchupandgettoknownewcomers.Thereare28peopleonthecoffeerota.Afterthemorningservicethechurchfamilyspendstimetogether.Usuallyfordrinks,occasionallyforfood.Childrenplay,adultstalk,lifeisshared.
Liturgyandsongsareprojectedduringtheserviceandourprojectionandsoundteamscontroltheprojectionandsound.
Wehaveavarietyofmusiciansandrelyalotonouryoungpeopletohelp.
ChildrenandYoungPeopleSasMcConvillehasjuststartedasourChildrenandYouthWorker.HerworkincludessupportforvolunteerswholeadgroupsonSundaymorning,aswellascoordinatinggroupsthatmeetduringtheweek.
Wehave40childrenagedunder10and31youngpeopleaged11-18.
OnaSundaytheymeetintheirgroups.Crecheisforchildrenunder21/2,Scramblersareaged3-5,GodlyPlayis5-8,KYFareaged8-11andPathfinders11+.
Wehave30volunteerswhohelpwiththedifferentchildrenandyoungpeoples’groups.
YoungpeopleduringtheweekOurchildrenandyouthworkerandvolunteersrunanumberofgroupsduringtheweek.Theseare:
CamelClub–forchildreninyear6to9.Games,snacks,craftsandfunwithaseriousslotcalledCamelTime.Numbersvarybutweoftenhave12-15youngpeople,somewhoareregularchurchattendersandsomewhoaren’t.CamelsgoalongtoIgniteaChesterwideyouthserviceonceamonth.
FootballonaWednesdayeveninggetsbetweentwelveandsixteenyoungsters,someofwhomaremembersofthechurch.Dropinhappensonceaweekatchurchforcrafts,hotchocolateandchats.
InthepastwehavesupportedtheCUatthelocalhighschoolandhavegoodlinkswithprimaryschool,thishasincludedvisitsbytheincumbentvisitingchurch.
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 201810
WhattheysaidOurchildrenandyoungpeopleliketogetinvolved.Wegotthemtohelpwiththepreparationoftheparishprofile.WeaskedwhatdoyoumostthankGodforatStMichael’s.Theysaid:
Weaskedthechildrenandyoungpeople:"whatdoyoumostwantfromournewvicar?"
• Someonewhoiskind,strong,likesmusic,helpfulgivesadviceandisfunny.
• TheymustloveGod,listentous,welcomepeopleofallagesandhaveagoodsense
ofhumour.• TheyshouldknowJesuswellandpreachgood.• Wewouldlikethemtobeinspiring,child
friendly,tellstoriesandnotbeboring.• Theyshouldbesomeonewecantalktoand
wholovesGod.
Weaskedthem,"whatwouldyouprayforStMike’stobelikein5yearstime?"
• Socialactivitiesforyoungpeople,more groupsandmorepeopleourage.• Moresocialsandmodernmusic,wewould
liketoseemoreyoungpeopleleadingandspeakingandayouthtakeover.
• Trytobringmorepeopletochurchandgoodadvertisingforwhatchurchisreallylike.
• Wewouldlikebettersnacksandasteam sauna,morepicnicsandchurchdaysout.• MoregroupslikeCamelforyoungerpeople.• Wewouldlikebiggerroomsforourgroups andwewantchurchtobesomewherewe feelcomfortabletobringourfriends.
Music
Singing
Kindness
Church family
Fun Active
Band
Laughter
Drinks
Quizzes
Footballafterchurch
Playingatthefrontofchurch
Climbing frame
Garden Snacks
Everybody gets along
Learn about God
Kind
Friends
Juice
People make you feel welcomeAllageservice
Biscuits Age range
Everybody is different
Fungroups
Talking
Playing
Leaders
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 2018 11
3.3 Community
Thereareplentyofthingsgoingonduringtheweek.
VolunteersfromStMichael’sandKingswayChapelsupportedbyTinaPetersourCaféManagerservelotsofpeopleattheKingswayCafésixdaysperweek.Thisopened15yearsagoandprovidesanimportantlinktothecommunity.Volunteershelptocookandservefoodandmeetwithpeopletochatorpray.TheOlderGroup(knownasTOGs)meetattheCaféonaWednesdayafternoonforfunandfriendshipandincludespeoplewhoarenotpartofthecongregation.
OurToddlerGroupmeetsatChurchonaWednesdaymorning.Thetoddlergroupisfullysubscribedandiswellknowninthearea.ItisanimportantgatheringplaceforparentsandgrandparentsofChesterpre-schoolers.Thegroupiswellestablishedandisthestartingpointformanyfriendships.
OurPre-Schoolismanagedbyasub-committeeofthePCCandcurrentlyprovidesforover30children.OurmanagerPennyHaskellmanagesateamofninepeople.Thepre-schoolusethechurchhallsideofthechurchbuildingaswellasthegarden.Threehoursessionsareofferedforchildrenaged2-4yearsoldon:Monday,Tuesday,ThursdayandFridaymorningsandWednesdayafternoons.
LocatedneartothechurchisKingswood,providingindependentlivingfortheover55s.Amonthlycommunionserviceisheldthereandotherspecialevents.
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3.4 Paidstaff
Wehaveafull-timeChildrenandYouthWorkeraswellastwomembersofstaffwhoarebasedintheChurchOffice:ChurchSecretary(18hoursperweek)andBookKeeper(14hoursperweek).Wealsopayanadministratorforfourhoursperweektomanagethebookingsforthechurchhallandwehaveacleanerwhoworksninehoursperweek.
ThechurchalsoemploysaCaféManager(30hoursperweek),andaPre-schoolManager(33hoursperweek)andateamofninepart-timestaffwhoworkinthePre-school.
3.5 Homegroups
Therearecurrentlysevenhomegroups.Thesearealldifferent.Somemeeteachweekandothersmeetforaperiodoftimeforaparticularstudy.Thereiscurrentlynoprogrammeforthegroups,eachleaderplansthesessions.Therearelotsofpeoplenotinagroupandwewouldliketodevelopthisandensurethateveryone(whowishes)canbelongtoagroup.
InthepastwehaverunanAlphacourse,thereiscurrentlyanAlphaMarriagecoursetakingplaceinthecaféwithmealsprovidedbymembersofthecongregation.
3.6 Mission
StMichael’shasbeendescribedasasendingchurchandhassupportedmanymembersofthecongregationservingabroad.AnnedeReybekillhasjustretiredafter30yearsofworkingforInterserveinPakistan.OliveFrostworksinmanycountriesteachingandsupportingChristianmedics.WehavealongtermrelationshipwithHugoandTechiVegarainSouthAmericaandalongstandingrelationshipwiththelocalleadershipofUCCF.WealsosupportacoupleinBristolworkingwiththehomelessandtheimmigrantcommunity.TheMissionCommitteehaverecentlyundertakentosupportayoungmaninKyrgystantoobtainformaltheologicalqualificationsinordertobuildupanewgenerationofpastorsthereandanotherUKbasedpersonwhoworksasanadvocateintheMiddleEastwiththepersecutedchurch,aladyinvolvedinbiblicaltranslationworkandanotherinvolvedinacentreforhomelessaddictsandthedyinginKyrgystan.
TheMissionCommitteemeetregularlyandconsiderandorganisegifts,prayersupportandpreachersfromarangeofChristiancharitiesworkinginChesterandabroad.Theyalsoorganisespeakersfromthecharitiesandgroupsandprovideinformationforpeopletoprovideprayersupport.
Aswellasallspecificmissiongiving,aminimumof10%ofthetotalgeneralfundgivingisalsodistributedthroughtheMissionCommittee.
Our mission partners from South America
The Mission Committee enjoy a meal with two of our partners
3.7PastoralSupport
PastoralsupporthasalwaysbeenpartoflifeatStMichael’s.Ateamoffersupporttothoseinneedwithmealsfornewparents,hospitalvisits,transport,andbereavementvisits.Thishasbeenespeciallyimportantduringtheperiodofnothavingavicar.
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3.8 Churchbuildings
ThechurchbuildingstartedlifeasahallforaSundaySchoolin1965.By1982ithadbeenextendedtocreateachurchattachedtothehall.Furtherexpansionofthebuildingtookplacein1991whenthechurchgainedaparish;andthegardenwascreatedin1994.Thereisnochurchyard.Inthelastfiveyearsdiscussionshavetakenplaceabouthowtomakebestuseofthebuildingandtocreateenoughspaceforourchildren’sgroups.Thebuildingcomprisesamainworshipareaof170m2,ahall(140m2),akitchenandanother7roomsofsmallersizes.Thechurchalsohasafantasticgarden,whichisgreatforgatheringsafterchurchandforthechildrentorunfree/wild.
TheVicarage,providedjointlybythecongregationandthedioceseandnowmaintainedbytheDiocese,isamoderndetachedfivebedroomhouseinasecludedareawithina10minutewalkofthechurch.Thisisamodernhousewithfivebedrooms,ofwhichthreearelargedoublesandtwosmalldoubles.Ithasverygoodreceptionfacilities,astudyandlargegardenwithagoodsizedpatioarea.Thechurchownstwofurtherhouses,bothofwhichwerepaidforbythecongregation.OneistwodoorsawayfromthechurchonDevonRoadandwaspurchasedbythechurchin1998tohouseayouthworker.Thisisusedasneededforayouthworkerorissometimesrentedout.Inabout2001thechurchboughtanotherhouse,onManningsLaneSouth,tohouseacurate.Thisisaboutfiveminuteswalkfromthechurchandisanice3bedsemi,currentlyrentedoutaswearewithoutacurate.
InadditiontothehousesandthechurchbuildingweleaseashopunitintheKingswayshopsarea,about5minuteswalkfromthechurch.Thiswasfittedoutasacaféandhasoperatedasacommunitycafesince2003withapaidmanagerandvolunteersfromStMichael's,KingswayChapelandothers.
Ground floor First floorThe vicarage
St Michael's Church Parish Profile March 201814
We have used the vacancy as a time to discuss and reflect on our hopes for the future and to consider the person we are looking for as our vicar.
Weinvitedpeopletocontributecommentsthroughpaperandemailformsandhadvariousdiscussionsinsmallergroups.Thecommentsfromchildrenandyoungpeoplearegatheredinsection3.
WherearewenowWeaskedthemembersofourchurchwhat they thank God for about our St Michael’s.
Theysaid….• The Church Family:wesupporteachotherinbadtimesand
rejoicetogetheringoodtimes.Weareacommunitywithfellowship,funandlaughterandasenseofwarmth.Wearewelcoming–joinwhoeverorwhereveryouareinyourjourney.
• The spiritual maturity and depth in the congregation.Collectivelywehavealotoffaith-historywecandrawontogether.
• Our wonderful children and young peopleandthevolunteerswholeadthem.Wearealivewithchildren.
• The involvement of congregation.Wearegratefulforthenumberoffaithfulpeopleteachingusfromthebibleandservinginministrytokeepthechurchgoing.
• The inclusiveness of all ages making a reality of ‘’onefamilyinJesus”.• That we are a Jesus centred churchandthatchangesare
happeningthroughtheHolySpirit.• That we are seeing Gods answers as we pray together.• Thesenseofexpectancyandexcitementwhichwefeel.
4. Where we are now & hopes for the futureHopesforthefutureWeaskedthechurchfamilyabouttheirHopesfortheFuture.Hereiswhattheysaid….
Mission• Tobemoreoutwardlooking;toserveandreachouttothelocalcommunity
andbeyond.• Tobeaboldpresenceinourparish,toleadpeopletofaithandseeliveschanged.• Forourchurchtobeattractivetopeoplewhohaveneverbeenpartofachurch.• Tohaveaheartforthemarginalisedandtoloveandcareforpeoplearoundus.
Tobeaplaceofrefugeandlove.• Tohavecontactwithallofthefamiliesinourcommunityandtoseemorepeople
ofallagesfindingfaith.• Tobeunitedinsharedvision.
Growth• TogrowinnumberandgrowintheknowledgeandloveofGod.• ThatwecontinuetobeacaringchurchhomeforestablishedChristians.• Tounderstandandaddresswhyweseesofewadultsfindingnewfaithinourchurch.
ToencounterGodaswemeettogether• TobechallengedbytheBibleandledbytheSpirit.ToallowGodtosetthe agenda• Topresenttimelesstruthsincreativeways.• Tocreateserviceswhichthechurchfamilylovetotakepartin.• Tocreateenvironmentsinwhichpeoplewithnofaith-historycanhearthegospel.
Thechurchfamily• TobeunitedinfocusonJesusandempoweredbyHolySpiritforservice.• Tohelpeveryoneinchurchtodeveloptheirgiftsandputthemtouse.• Tocontinuetocareforeachotherandtokeepbettertrackofthosewhodriftaway.
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StMichael’sislookingforaVicarwhowillleadusforward.
ApersonofFaithFirstandforemostafollowerofJesus• Whohasstrongknowledgeofscriptureandisabletoturnitintostraightforwardlife-basedapplication.• WhohasadailyandrealexperienceofJesusthatisexpressednaturallyandenthusiastically.• WhocanhelpusunderstandwhatitmeanstobeKingdompeopleinapost-Christiansociety.• WhoisprayerfulandexpectantofGod’spower.• WhocanhelpuslistentotheSpiritanddiscernwhatisnextforStMichael's.
ALeaderAvicarwithprovenleadershipandemotionalintelligencewhocan:• DiscernandarticulateboldvisionforthenextstageofStMichael’slifeanddevelopstrategiestomoveustowardsthatvision.• Mentorandguidecurrentandemergingleaderswithinthecongregation.• Encourageandempowereveryonetoidentifyandusetheirgifts.• Demonstrateperseveranceandcourageinleadershipandcareforthecongregation.• Helpustocreatesettings,servicesandenvironmentsinwhichpeoplewithnofaithhistorycanfindcommunityandencounterGod.• HelpusactwiththesamecourageandvisionasthosewhoplantedStMichael’s50+yearsagoandtoseekhowtosharethesameJesuswithaverydifferentworld.• HelpallofusengagewithandlistentoculturebutberootedinChrist.Willingtoinnovate.• KeepusfocussedonMissionbeyondthewallsofStMichael’slocallyandinternationally.• Leadthechurchtoreachoutandservethelocalcommunity.• RepresentusinmakingormaintainingconnectionswithChesterLinkUpChurches,andlocalschoolsandcommunitygroups.
APastor• Whocanencourageouryoungpeopleandtheirworktoreachtheunchurched.• Identifywithandcareforallagesthroughwhateverlifebringsus.• Showempathyforallagegroupsandnurtureafamilychurch.
5. The person we are looking for
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The city has a population of 81,500 (in 2015).
Chesterisabeautifulwalledcity,witharicharchitectureheritage.ItisdescribedasthebestpreservedwalledcityinEngland.ThedoubleheightshopsknownastheRowsareunique,notonlyintheUK,butintheworld.ChesterwasfoundedasaRomanFortinAD79andhasaRomanAmphitheatreaswellasplentyofhistoricremains.ThereisgreatshoppinginthecitycentrewhichiswithinwalkingdistanceofNewton.TherecentlycreatedStoryhouseisacinema,theatre,library,restaurant,andcoffeebar.Itrunsaseriesoffestivals,GrosvenorParkopenairtheatreandMoonlightFlicks.ChesterCathedralistheNorthWest’smostpopulartouristattraction.
CheshireOaks,theretailoutletvillageisonlyashortdriveawayandtheawardwinningChesterZooisalso5minutesaway.ThehistoricalracecourseisinabeautifulsettingbytheriverDee.ChesterUniversityhas14,900students,andpartoftheuniversitycampusiswithintheparish.TheCountessofChesterHospitalisverycloseandthereisarangeofpre-school,primaryandhighschools,withgoodoroutstandingOFSTEDratingsinthelocalarea.
Therearelovelyparks:GrosvenorParkandAlexandraParkinHoolehavegreatchildren’splayareas.Thereisagreatfootballteam,ChesterFCandtherearewellequippedleisurefacilitiesinChester,suchasNorthgateArenaandtheCheshireCountySportsClub.
TherearegoodconnectionstoLiverpool,ManchesterandNorthWales.Forthosewholiketheoutdoors,therearemountainsinNorthWales,andthePeakdistrictandtheLakesarecloseby.Cheshirehaslotsofwalkingandcyclingroutes,aswellasbeautifulplacestovisit.
6. What makes Chester special?
St Michael's Church, ChesterDevon RoadNewtonChesterCH2 2PX
Church Office: 01244 315129Email: [email protected]