'I leave a part of me there' - Penwortham's transformative vicar retires after 25 years at St Mary's Church
“If we hadn’t have done this work, then I’m quite sure the church would have fallen down by now.”
“You’re not meant to stay that long”, said Reverend Chris Nelson, when reflecting on his 25 years at St Mary’s Church in Penwortham.
“Seven or eight years is probably about average”, he adds. “But there was a lot of work to be done, and they needed someone to put roots down, stick around and do what they said they’d do.”
And do it he did. Rev Nelson’s tenure at the church which dates back 1,000 years is one of the most transformative in its recent history. And having achieved what he’s set out to do, three weeks ago the 68-year-old grandfather- of-eight hung up his collar, bringing an end to a fascinating career that has gone from factory floor to the altar.
The engaging and warm vicar, known to generations in the wider Lancashire area, started off live in Grimsargh, before moving to Frenchwood in Preston where his parents ran a corner shop at a time when the Government dictated prices of goods.
When this was repealled and supermarkets began ‘stacking it high and selling it cheap’, the young Chris sought out an technician apprenticeship at BAC, eventually staying in industry for 11 years and working at the company’s sites in Strand Road, Samlesbury and Warton.
But his faith - an important part of his upbringing which saw him sing in the choir at Preston Parish Church and even at Lambeth Palace - was never far away. And so in his mid-20s, while still working in the aerospace industry and studying for an Open University degree in science, he made the decision to offer himself for ministry. He said: “I knew I wanted to do something that was meaningful and valuable. The training I had in the aerospace industry was such a standard that it set me up for life, but I was a cog in a big machine.”
After a three-day ‘grilling’, he was accepted into theological college in Nottingham, and so in the mid 1980s, with infant son Matthew and wife Jacqui, the family house was sold and they moved to the Midlands. Rev Nelson said: “It was quite traumatic at the time, because we were taking the first grandchild away from our parents and we faced years away in Nottingham with no family near us.”
In 1987, daughter Hannah was born, and by the time Rev Nelson had his first curacy in Blackpool, son Jonathan was born. In total, Rev Nelson had four curacies - two in the Blackpool area and two in East Lancashire - before the post at St Mary’s came up.
He took over from Rev Derek Raitt and the family moved to Penwortham in January 2001. “The church goes back to 1066, with bits from the 14th century and bits from the 16th century”, Rev Nelson explained. “It was always known as a cold and dark church and I wanted to change that. I had a vision to open the church up, making it light, bright, warm and welcoming.”
In a move that is still discussed today, Rev Nelson made the decision to remove the Victorian pews from the church (deemed ‘not of great value’ by the Chancellor of the Diocece), and brought in design award-winning wooden chairs, so that the main floor of the church could be opened up as a multi-purpose area. He said: “It was about theological engagement and how the building should suit the people, and not how the people should suit the building.”
This work also allowed church leaders to investigate the sinking floor underneath the pews - and what they found shocked them.
“There were hundreds of bodies, layers upon layers of them, so it must have been a graveyard at one time. It was quite an overwhelming situation, really. We thought we might find one of two.”
“The church would have fallen down”
Archeologists were brought into assess the situation - including looking for the possibility of antrax on remains of hair - but eventually, the bodies were recovered while piling work was done to secure the floor. Insulation, underfloor heating and a new wooden floor was also installed. Rev Nelson said: “If we hadn’t have done this work, then I’m quite sure the church would have fallen down by now.”
On the disquiet the pew decision caused, Rev Nelson said: “The people who use it (the church) and the people it’s for, are able to do more than they’ve ever done before in that space. You can do 1,001 activities there now. Churches are designed to serve the community - if they’re not serving the community, then what are they for?
“St Mary’s is an ancient site and we have to maintain that, but we also have to make it a living place that is still relevant to the local community.”
The church hall and a new vision
And in that same vein, Rev Nelson led on another major change - demolishing the church hall in Cop Lane.
He said: “We have two church schools (Cop Lane and Howick C of E Primary Schools) - both a distance away - and when the children come to the church we want them to spend the day, but there’s no classroom. We needed a space that was secure and relevant, and the church hall just wasn’t fit for purpose.
“It was a temporary from the 1960s meant to last 25 years. It had served it’s purpose, we couldn’t afford to bring it up to standard, and we didn’t own the land. We had 30 years left on the lease, so what should we do? People weren’t happy with the decision to sell the building off, but the money is now sitting in the church bank account waiting to be spent on new facilities.”
The land has now been redeveloped as Hardwick Grange, a retirement living complex.
Work is still to start, with a National Lottery funding application set to go in. Rev Nelson said: “It’s been quite traumatic for the people of Penwortham, all this change, but they’ve got through it.
“My role has been to develop, grow and replace, and now the task is done - or at least the permissions are granted. Now I can step back, a new person can come in and continue the process. I have hopefully transformed the place so that it is fit for purpose and will continue to develop.”
Rev Nelson’s last service was held on Sunday, May 24, which he says was “emotional”, and had to pinch his palm to distact himself from the occasion, more than once. He said: “But I couldn’t do that while I was giving communion, and I struggled to get the words out.
“I kept thinking ‘this is the last time I’ll be doing this, or the last time I’ll be doing that’. “It was emotional and I leave a piece of me there. We have also donated a Bishop’s chair, which we have taken with us from place to place.”
While a new vicar is found for St Mary’s, retired clergy are leading services.
So, what’s next for Rev Nelson?
He is still the chaplain of Preston North End Football Club - a role he has held since the mid 1990s and one he hopes to increase. His role is one of community engagement, support for players - particularly young trainees away from home for the first time - and representing the club at important events.
He said: “It’s a family at the club and I’m the pastor of the family.”
He regularly goes in to eat with and chat with the players on a Friday saying he ‘gives them normality by being around’, and was even on the first team bus during the Division Three Championship winning procession in Preston in 1996. On a match day he can be found supporting his boyhood club from the Sir Tom Finney stand ‘encouraging and never swearing’.
Rev Nelson is also looking forward to spending time with his family and taking life a little slower, though he knows he won’t be too quite. “I can’t nip into Tesco for some milk without someone stopping me for a chat”, he says with a grin. “I can’t go anywhere - but it’s great.”
From Preston, Chorley and South Ribble to the stories everyone across the county is talking about, stay one step ahead with the Lancashire Post breaking newsletter.
Ian Ashmore, head of Cop Lane C of E Primary School, said: “Chris has been at Cop Lane for 25 years working with three headteachers. He's supported the school throughout his time seeing it go from strength to strength. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication and support to the school.”
Marie Curran, Town Manager of Penwortham Town Council said: “Reverend Chris Nelson has been an invaluable pillar of St Mary’s Church and the wider Penwortham community for 25 years, always supporting council events and helping to lead our annual Remembrance Sunday service and parade. I am deeply grateful for his outstanding devotion to our town and wish him and his wife, Jacqui the very best for their retirement.”