Minister: Elaine Kinchin, B.Th.
Members: 49
Children: 14
Adherents: 27
Times of services: 10:45am, also 1st Sunday 3pm
Secretary: Mrs. C. Rayner, 53 Beechfield, Grasscroft, Saddleworth, Oldham OL4 4EL (01457) 873960,
chrisrayner167@btinternet.comProtection Verifier: Oliver Kinchin, 21 Lychgate Court, Holts, Oldham, Lancs OL4 5PY [0161] 785 8957
CF Ltd Trustees: Yes
Listed Building: No
Conservation Area: No
Disabled Facilities: Yes
Keep Safe Policy: Yes
Hope Church moved to its present site fifteen years ago when a national company wanted to purchase the land our church stood on. After much prayerful thought the membership decided to move to our present site which had been the building of our satellite church which had closed some years before.
We refurbished the building with money we received from the sale of the land and move din with pastor Alan Eckersley at the helm.
Following Alan, Rev. Marjory Kelsall took the call and the church continued to flourish. After Marjory retired we were left without a Minister for a couple of years until our present Minister, Rev. Elaine Kinchin joined us moving to Oldham straight from Mansfield College. Like most churches we have an ageing congregation and, because we are situated in a mainly Muslim area of Oldham, we struggle to find new members but are slowly attracting a few.
We support a Tea & Toast Club, Pilotes Company, a Women's Guild and an Entertainment Society - though this is made up of members from several churches it still brings fellowship in our building.
We also open our doors to the wider community. A theatre group use the building and they are contributing to the upkeep and we hope in time will give us new members. The church premises are also used as a polling station and ward surgery, the local housing association also meets at Hope.
Recently we had to refurbish the building due to wet found in the floor but we have a new floor and carpet and feel a new lease of life.
We lost our organist recently as she move with her husband to South Wales but undeterred we purchased a Hymnal 300 and this has proved to bring a new dimension to our worship as we can now sing to new voices that our old organ could never achieve.We still retain the organ and we do use it when we can.
We look forward with optimism to the future.