About the parish
About four hundred families, in a church paid for in weekly instalments by the people who worked the land around it.
The church
Built by the people who worked here
Opened in 1888 and paid for in weekly instalments by farm labourers and their families, which is recorded in a ledger still kept in the sacristy and is worth asking to see.
The roof was replaced in 2021. The boiler is next, and the boiler knows it.
Who is who
Fr Bernard Achebe
Parish Priest. In the presbytery most days; day off Monday. Hears confessions four times a week and would happily hear more.
Deacon Paul Ridley
Permanent deacon. Baptisms, funerals, and the housebound communion round. Works a full-time job as well, so email rather than ring.
Teresa Nwankwo
Parish Safeguarding Representative. Independent of the clergy and contactable directly — the details are below and they are deliberately not buried.
Safeguarding
Everyone who works with children or adults at risk in this parish is DBS-checked and trained on a three-year cycle, and two adults are present at every activity. The policy is the diocese's and a printed copy hangs in the narthex.
If you are worried about a child or an adult at risk — here or anywhere — contact the Parish Safeguarding Representative directly, or the diocesan safeguarding team on 0121 230 6240. If someone is in immediate danger, ring 999.
Concerns about any priest, deacon or member of staff should go to the diocesan team rather than to the parish. You do not need to speak to Father first, and you should not feel you have to.