Bamber Bridge church celebrates 125th anniversary with special service

St Aidan's Church in Station Road hosted a socially distanced anniversary service on Sunday, inviting guest of honour, the Rt Rev. Julian Henderson - the Bishop of Blackburn - to dedicate a newly installed organ.

The special event marked 125 years since the parish was set up by its mother church, St Leonard's in Walton-le-Dale. It was consecrated on November 16, 1895.

Bishop Julian said: "It was wonderful to be able to mark the 125th anniversary of St Aidan's with the Rev. Shaun Baldwin and the congregation.

"125 years of continuous mission in the Bamber Bridge parish is a wonderful witness.

"Marking an occasion like this is an important moment for any church; made all the more special this time because it was the first service in which their new organ (the former West End organ from Liverpool Cathedral) was dedicated in its new home.

"The very powerful sound it made was wonderful to experience and I'm sure it will assist in the sung worship in St Aidan's for some of the next 125 years."

Bishop Julian also preached at the Parish Eucharist to celebrate the Feast of St Aidan, and gave thanks for 125 years of mission and ministry in Bamber Bridge. The church building had a reduced capacity due to the current social distancing requirements, but was nevertheless full.

The bishop then dedicated the new instrument, which was originally built by Dave Bostock, of Phoenix Organs, for Liverpool Cathedral where it was used in the West End of the church for 17 years.

It has also been played in concerts in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall whilst the pipe organ was being restored.

The Government is currently advising performance venues, including places of worship, to discourage audiences from singing to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Small groups of professional or non-professional singers have been allowed to perform in front of worshippers both outdoors and indoors since August 15. Singing in groups should be limited to a small, set group of people and should not include audience participation.

St Aidan's Church plans to reintroduce music events once the Government allows this.

Fr Shaun Baldwin, the church vicar, said: "The congregation is looking forward to being allowed to sing again and be accompanied by this instrument. The parish is also looking forward to opening its doors and welcoming the wider community to a variety of music events, including organ recitals and choir concerts. St Aidan's is blessed to have use of this instrument and we look forward to expanding the music ministry and outreach of the parish."

Coronavirus guidelines also restrict worshippers from sharing food and communal items, and advises venues to seat individuals rather than allowing them to stand to help maintain social distancing.

For more information please contact Fr Shaun Baldwin on [email protected]