St Mary's was built by donations from the local mill workers, it is a true community church.
Hollingworth, Greater Manchester
St Mary's is a small stone-built traditional church with beautiful stained-glass windows which reflect the sun onto the inside walls. It is situated in the centre of Hollingworth on a busy main road but is surrounded by lawns, shrubs and flowerbeds. Hollingworth is a former mill-village and still a low-income area but the church was built by public subscription and is carefully maintained by its congregation.
A screen enables the interior to be used as a whole or divided into two rooms, providing excellent facilities for both worship and community activities. The arrangement of the seating is also completely flexible. There is disabled access along the footpath and throughout the building, where there is a sound-system, a well-equipped modern kitchen and accessible toilets. There is an induction loop.
Everyone is made welcome at St Mary's.
We provide, free of charge, holiday clubs, a 'toddler' group, and, during the winter, a 'Warm Spaces' group. Every Wednesday morning, from 9am to 11am we hold 'Open House', with free hot and cold drinks, snacks and a quiz. Community groups also hire the room for meetings and activities. Even with all this happening, visitors encounter a small, well-kept traditional church and often comment on its beauty and pleasant atmosphere.
Mottram in Longdendale, Cheshire
This impressive stone built church perches atop War Hill, the site of a battle between invading Normans and the local Saxons, it is believed that those killed were buried here and a place of worship established.
Padfield, Derbyshire
A peaceful place for busy lives. Padfield Congregational Chapel in the centre of Padfield village is a much loved community focal point.
Glossop, Derbyshire
