Castle Community Church holds first service in over a year

Major roofing repairs have been taking place at Castle Community Church in Northwich.

As such, the congregation have not been able to meet in their principal place of worship since May 2022, until now.

John Hulme, long-time resident of Northwich and church trustee, said: “The scaffolding is now down, and we were able to raise the roof in a service of celebration as we start a new beginning for the church.”

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Rev Alma Fritchley takes communion (Image: Castle Community Church)

Castle Community Church is a Local Ecumenical Partnership bringing together the former Castle Methodist Church and Northwich United Reformed Church.

It hosted a Service of Celebration on Sunday (August 6), led by URC Minister Rev Alma Fitchley.

Former Winsford Verdin Comprehensive School music teacher, Bridget Dimbleby Tombacco, played the organ.

The service also included a hymn specially composed for the occasion, ‘Here in this place we come to sing your praise, to pray, and find the healing that you give’, written by Rev Dr Jan Berry.

Mr Hulme continued: “We are back in business, and it was quite extraordinary to have a hymn written specifically for our church.

“Many do not realise that the church is not just open on a Sunday but also has a Monday Tiny Tots group, a Tuesday Knit and Natter afternoon, monthly Friday coffee mornings, a Walking Group and provides a hub for the local PCSO and local councillor’s surgeries.

“The church is proud to serve its community on Castle.”

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Margaret Bunter cuts the ribbon at the reopening of Castle Community Church (Image: Castle Community Church)

Rev Fritchley added: “Whilst we have been worshiping in our School Room since May 2022, returning to the Sanctuary of the church was an emotional experience for both myself and the congregation.

“The thunder of the organ and the ability to serve bread and wine from our communion table again was a sacramental pleasure and I found it very moving.  

“It was also a joy to sing a hymn of celebration specially written for the occasion.”