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| Christian Places of Worship | |
It co –ordinates joint activity and worship between the Churches and gives a united voice on many issues of Christian concern. Member Churches of Branches of the Vine are:
The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of Branches of the Vine are elected posts and the current post holders are Chair: Sr Julie McGing CP c/o The Presbytery, Pakington street, Bradford, BD5 7LD. Telephone: (01274) 720299 Secretary: Revd Sarah Groves. Telephone (01274) 581852 |
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| All Saints Parish Church. | |
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Contact: Revd Stephen Treasure, St Oswald’s Vicarage, Christopher Street, Bradford, BD5 9DH. Telephone: (01274) 522717 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: All Saints is part of the Church of England, and believe in the faith to which the creeds and the Book of Common Prayer bear witness. We live under the authority of the Bible, and enjoy a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Because He has changed our lives, Christian work and behaviour flows more out of gratitude than out of obligation to a God who loves us. We provide opportunities for Sunday worship, weekly bible studies, and pastoral visits to the sick and housebound. We are closely involved with All Saints Church School, with assemblies and governors’ activities. We share joint activities and worship with other Christian groups in the area. |
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Sir Francis Sharpe-Powell, a wealthy local landowner who lived at Horton Old Hall, the site of the present Hanover Housing flats, built All Saints Church in 1864. It was built to serve the community of Little Horton, and to form the centre of a village within Bradford’s urban sprawl. The church is the finest church building in Bradford, and is a listed Grade 2* building. It originally served the wealthy of Little Horton, and some of our older members remember when the roads around were gated, with footmen in livery and carriages. Now the church serves an area that has changed beyond recognition, and All Saints was instrumental in starting the Hutson Street project in 1988 to help develop local capacity in a changed world. Attendance has fallen as the area has changed, and the church has no more robed choirs, scouts and guides and other organisations of large churches; instead there is the intimacy and commitment of a smaller community. We are proud to belong to Little Horton, and to provide a variety of services to local people within our magnificent building. MEMBERSHIP: The electoral roll of the church numbers 40; most members are resident in Little Horton, some not. Most are elderly; we have a Sunday School of about six children; we have a number of overseas students who from part of the congregation while they are in Bradford, from Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, Uganda and elsewhere. MAIN ACTIVITIES: Sunday Services at 11.15 am and 4:30 pm Bible Study on Wednesdays at 10:00am Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals by request Parent & Toddler Group: Wednesday at 1.30 pm to 3.15 pm. Baby Milk for Benefit tokens on Sunday at 12.30 pm to 1.15 pm and Wednesday 1.30 pm to 3.15 pm. I.T classes, friendly circle for older people, “Creation” Dance, Drama and circus skills, Tel: (01274) 522717 |
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| Bowling St Stephens Church. | |
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Contact: Revd Jimmy Hinton, St Stephens Vicarage, 48 Newton Street, Bradford, BD5 7BH. Telephone: (01274) 720784 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: St Stephens is Church of England and has catered for the religious needs of the majority indigenous population over the years, weddings, baptisms and funerals as well as Sunday worship. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Church was built in 1860 when West Bowling was developing due to the rise of the mills in Bradford. It has always been linked to St Stephens School. The old school Building was replaced with the new school on Gaythorne road in 1985. |
MEMBERSHIP: About 20-25 people are regular attendees though other local people would look to St Stephens as their church. Many people have had links with the church over the years. Some members are old residents of West Bowling and the rest are younger families. All are local people. MAIN ACTIVITIES: Sunday worship 11:15am Prayer meetings during the week Bible Study on Wednesdays at 2.30 pm Community events during the year. |
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| Bradford Unitarian Church. | |
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Contact: Christine Dawson, Russell Street, Bradford, BD5 0JB. Telephone: (01274) 608354 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: “The Unitarian path is a liberal religious movement rooted in Jewish and Christian traditions but open to insight from world faiths, reason and science; and with a spectrum extending from liberal Christianity through religious humanism” The Unitarian Path. Andrew Hill |
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Unitarianism traces its roots in Britain to 1662, and the “non-conformist” churches, with ejection from the Church of England of clergy who refused to accept the imposition of the “39 Articles of Faith”. The first Unitarian congregation in Bradford was established in 1672. The present buildings at Russell Street was built in 1971 to replace the Victorian Chapel and Channing Hall that were demolished to make way for the Bradford Law Courts. The Broadway Avenue Chapel was built in 1906 as a temporary meeting place for the congregation who followed the Revd W Rosling when he became Unitarian. The temporary building at Broadway Avenue still stands and serves the Marshfield’s Community. MEMBERSHIP: The Russell Street congregation, reflects its origins as a city centre chapel for people from all over the city who were drawn by a good preacher or an interest in rational thought and an open minded search for spiritual insight. Today the congregation is small but determined to maintain an open approach to religion and spiritual growth. MAIN ACTIVITIES: 3.00 pm Sunday meeting for worship (1st and 2nd Sunday in the month) 12.30 pm meeting for spiritual “reflections” every third Wednesday The Church has an adult religious education programme. The buildings are also available for lettings by educational or charitable organisations. |
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| Central Avenue Wesleyan Reform Church. | |
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Contact: Pastor Ron Stockley, Central Avenue, Little Horton, Bradford. Telephone: (01274) 594610 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: Central Avenue Church is part of the Wesleyan Reform Union of Churches. They believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They worship and adore Him alone. They believe that the bible, both Old and New Testament are the inspired word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. They believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, who offered Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. |
He was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven to be our mediator and advocate from where He will personally return in power and glory. The Holy Spirit is a divine person both equal to and of one substance with the Father and the Son. His work is to reveal truth to the individual bringing repentance and faith, indwelling every believer and placing His seal upon Him as a Child of God. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The present church standing on the corner of Central avenue and Tivoli Place, Little Horton, was built in 1909 to replace the one in Park Lane, which had served the area since 1851. Known as, “the new church”, it was opened in November 1909 and, 21 years later, its “coming of age” was celebrated with the building and dedication in 1930 of the Memorial organ and choir stalls. Over the 90 years of its existence, worship, work amongst young people and presentations by the choir have been continuous. Times have changed and the area and community are very different now from those of the early days, but from the beginning the church and its people have been and still are forward looking and seek to serve the community. MEMBERSHIP: At present there are 24 adults in membership and 10 children in the Sunday Club. Some are residents of the Bradford Trident area and others worshippers have moved out of the area. MAIN ACTIVITIES: Worship, Art Group, Choir. Pastoral care and visits to the sick and elderly are an important service to the community. |
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| Little Horton Moravian Church. | |
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Contact: Revd Sarah Groves. Little Horton Lane, Bradford, BD5 0JU. Tel 01274 581852 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: The Moravian Church is a Christian Church whose roots go back to the 15th Century, and the founding of the Unity of the Brethren (Unitas Fratrum) in what is now the Czech Republic. They wanted to live a simple Christian life in community based on the Sermon on the Mount. Faith, Fellowship and Freedom characterise, the Moravian approach to life
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Following a spiritual awakening in 1727 the Church saw its purpose as taking the Gospel to those parts of the world that were unevangelised. In consequence the Moravian Church today is found in places as far apart as Nicaragua and North India. Moravians first came to Britain in the 1730s and set up congregations by invitation of local people. About 50 years ago the Moravian Church in England was strengthened by the arrival of members from the Caribbean. From its earliest days the Church has sought to work in harmony with other Christians. There are a number of joint Moravian/United Reformed Church congregations and in 1998 the signing of the Fetter Lane agreement brought the Church of England and the Moravian Church into a closer working relationship. Moravians believe there is nothing that need separate all who accept Jesus as Lord, and the Church has adopted the ancient saying; " In things essential, unity; In non-essentials, liberty, In all things love". Little Horton Moravian Church was established in 1838 after over a century of Moravian activity in West Yorkshire (which included the founding of Fulneck Moravian Settlement). Little Horton Church has a congregation which includes people of all ages from in and around the local area and is warm and friendly. Our Sunday Service is the highlight of our week when we all meet together for worship, teaching and friendship. Our Junior Church provides age related activities for young people along with the service in Church. We welcome all who want to worship with us and those who want to work in partnership with us. OUR REGULAR ACTIVITIES ARE: Sunday Service: 10.30am with Junior Church and Creche. Holy Communion 3pm on the first Sunday of each month Monday: 9th Bradford Girls’ Brigade meet in the Church Hall Tuesday: Women’s Fellowship Friday: Bible Study & Men’s meeting Saturday: “Dance for Life” meet in Hall Twice Monthly on differing dates we have Youth Fellowship activities. The Church Hall rooms may be booked for meetings, clubs and community groups. Please contact us for more information To find out more about us visit: http://www.bradfordmoravians.org.uk |
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| Muff Field Wesleyan Reform Chapel. | |
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Tichbourne Road, Bradford. Contact: Secretary; Mrs B. Aldersley.Tel (01484) 720068 Minister; Pastor Ron Stockley. (01274) 393351 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: Muff Field Chapel is part of the Wesleyan Reform Union of Churches. We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We worship and adore Him alone. We believe that the bible, both Old and New testament are the inspired word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. |
We believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, who offered Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. He was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven to be our mediator and advocate from where He will personally return in power and glory. The Holy Spirit is a divine person both equal to and of one substance with the Father and the Son. His work is to reveal truth to the individual bringing repentance and faith, indwelling every believer and placing His seal upon Him as a Child of God. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: In 1823, twelve men met in a little house in West Bowling to discuss the needs of the district. Out of that meeting, “The Little School” was built by subscription. The School was free to children of every religious denomination and existed to teach the Scriptures to the Children of the area. By 1852, it was necessary to build the first chapel and a piece of land was obtained in Muff’s Field, hence the name Muff Field Chapel. To raise funds to build, men, in some cases earning less than £1.00 per week, stood guarantors for £100 each. One man even missed the Bowling Dyes works trip to the Great Exhibition in order to help dig the foundations. Over the years the work of the chapel expanded as did its buildings but with changing times and make up of the community, the church needed to change. The present chapel was built in 1982. “Will future generations, looking back, wonder what those who built the new chapel were like? Let it be known that we were ordinary people and ordinary Christians, with nothing special to commend us. Nevertheless God Chose to use us for His purpose and perhaps this was possible for a number of reasons. Firstly, we knew that we had nearly reached the end of our strength and resources; secondly though we loved the old chapel much, we loved the fellowship more; and thirdly we were privileged to play a part in the history of God’s achievements at Muff Field. We praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that’s to come” ( from Muff field 1823 1982 – An Updated History compiled by Sylvia Thornton) MEMBERSHIP: Currently there are 54 adults in membership and 7 children in the Sunday school. Some from the area, although the majority come from outside the area to worship. MAIN ACTIVITIES: Worship, Luncheon club, Ladies meeting. A system for pastoral care is in place. |
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| Serbian Orthodox Church. | |
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Contact: Father Nedic. 98 Little Horton Lane. Bradford. BD5 0JG. Telephone: (01274) THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: The Serbian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous, or ecclesiastically independent, member of the Orthodox communion. The head of the church carries the title Archbishop of Pe?, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch. The supreme authority of the Serbian church, the Holy Synod, is composed of all its bishops who meet each year in Belgrade in May. A standing synod of four members administers day-to-day affairs of the church, which numbers approximately 9 million faithful. There are thirty-two dioceses in all, of which eight are located in the Diaspora. The Serbian Orthodox Church diocese to which this parish belongs is that of Great Britain and Scandinavia. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: This parish of the Serbian Orthodox Church was born in the late 1950’s following the influx to this country of Serb refugees as a direct result of the Second World War and the imposition of communist rule in the former Yugoslavia. The first parish church was located in Halifax but moved to Bradford in 1977. Following some renovation and adaptation work, the new church was consecrated for worship in 1978. |
MEMBERSHIP: The parish was originally created to minister from the late 1950’s to the, largely male, Serb refugees who settled here following the Second World War. From the 1960’s, as those refugees married, a new generation was born and raised in this country and these families formed the early life of the parish. Today, that first-born generation has children of its own and so three generations, stemming from the initial refugees who settled here and created the parish, form the congregation. The break-up of the former Yugoslavia during the 1990’s saw another influx of refugees to this country and the parish has welcomed those faithful, as and when they settled in this area during those years. The parish also extends a warm welcome to Orthodox faithful of other nationalities who live in the area and wish to worship within this parish: namely, those of Rumanian and Russian origin. The congregation, although clustered in and around the major towns and cities of Yorkshire, spans a wide area as far out as Scotland and Liverpool. MAIN ACTIVITIES: Sunday worship |
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| The Society of Friends (Quakers). | |
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Contact: Gerard and Cathy Benson, Quaker’s Meeting House, Russell Street, Bradford BD5 OJB Tel: 01274 541316. Carol Sherrard. Tel: 01274 560283 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: To Quakers, the visible mark of being a “church” is not conformity to a particular creed, or liturgical or sacramental practice, but the quality of communal and individual life. The Religious Society of Friends is rooted in Christianity and has always found inspiration in the life and teachings of Jesus, and that an understanding of our own religious traditions may be enhanced by insights of other faiths. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: In 1652 George Fox a shoemaker’s son in Leicestershire began his spiritual journey as he searched for the truth. He realised that no priest could help him, but that the answer was within himself. |
He gathered followers as he journeyed around England. In 1665 there were 18.000 Friends in England: they were also known as the Children of Light. They were persecuted because they would not attend church, as was the rule of the day. They held secret Meetings in each other’s houses until the Act of Toleration in 1689 when they were allowed to build Meeting Houses. During the 1650s the Quakers were the most unruly and turbulent of the sects, frequently disrupting services. Although Cromwell tried to befriend them, their wild enthusiasm and disorderly conduct antagonised the authorities. Only later did they adopt the quiet witness of which pacifism forms an important part of Quakerism today. The first Meeting House in Bradford was in 1688 in Goodmansend at the bottom of the Wakefield Road. The Meeting moved into it’s present building in 1995 in what was the garden of Russell House; the Meeting House from the middle 1950s on the corner of Melbourne Place and Russell Street. MEMBERSHIP: Worshippers come from all parts of the Metropolitan Borough of Bradford, and students from the University, especially the Peace studies Department. MAIN ACTIVITIES: The main Meeting for Worship is at 10.45 am on Sunday, but other meetings are arranged from time to time. The Meeting House is used daily by 2 organisations supporting Asian women from the local community, and is available for other meetings. |
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| St Josephs Catholic Church. | |
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Contact: Father John Newman. Pakington Street, Bradford, BD5 7LD. Tel: (01274) 720299 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: God, in a plan of pure love and goodness, freely created the human race to share His life and is close to us at all times and in all places. God calls and helps each person, all human beings, to seek, know and love Him with all their strength. Through His Son, whom He sent in the fullness of time as the Redeemer and Saviour, the Father gather all people, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of His family, the Church. Through Christ and in Him, the Father invites them to become His adopted children in the Holy Spirit and so heirs to eternal life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church) |
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: St Joseph’s school chapel in Grafton Street was opened on Friday 26th May 1868. Then, in response to the growing number of Catholics in this part of Bradford, St Joseph’s Church on Pakington Street was opened on 15th September 1887. Over the years, thousands of Catholics have attended Mass at St Joseph’s School. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion came to the parish to run the school. After the Second World War, many people came from different parts of Europe to settle in England. There was a large Polish Community at St Joseph’s until the 1960’s, when the Polish Church in Edmund Street was opened. At this time many new immigrants were arriving from the West Indies and became a part of the Catholic Community at St Joseph’s. MEMBERSHIP: The Parish Community has responded to the many changes in our society. We see this in the composition of today’s congregation, which numbers about 600 people, born in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Philippines and the West Indies. This is a wonderful reminder of God’s loving call to all people to learn to live in unity and peace with one another. Sunday Mass is at the heart of the life of the Parish Community and feeds our daily life of prayer and service of others. There are opportunities for spiritual growth through retreats and courses, and the Church is open all day for quiet prayer. MAIN ACTIVITIES Sunday Mass times: 5.00 pm (Saturday Vigil) Sunday at 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Weekday devotions: Monday 9.15am Tuesday 7.00 pm Wednesday9.15 am Thursday 9.15 am Friday 12 noon The prayer of the Rosary is said before every mass. Exposition of the Blessed sacrament and silent prayer on Saturday: 9.45-10.30 am. Confessions on Saturday: 9.45-10.30 am and 4.30-5.00 pm. The work of St Joseph’s School and the various activities for all ages groups are based in the new Community Room. Journey in Faith Group for those who wish to join the Church. Home visits for the sick, housebound and bereaved. Music groups- cantors for Sunday Mass and African choir. General help and advise for people and groups with particular needs. Faith and Light community for people with special needs. The Friday Group and others organise the social life of the Parish and promote charity fundraising for the needs of people at home and abroad. The First Holy Communion course for parents and the young people’s Confirmation Group. |
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The Light of the World Gospel Hall Community Church. |
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Contact: Revd Sybil Sangster. Gaythorne Road, Bradford, BD5 8AY. Tel: (01274) 730640 THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: The Light of the World Church doctrine is based on the inspired word of God from Genesis to Revelation. The Church embraces the Holy Trinity and the full knowledge that only through Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, can anyone be saved. |
The Light Of the World Church upholds and preaches the Holiness of God and the abstinence from presumptuous sinning, through the grace of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Church was formed in the basement of the Revd. Sybil Sangsters home and became a Registered charity in 1985. Through the dedication of 8 members/volunteers, which later grew to 25, who contributed a 10th of their earnings for 8 years, coupled with fundraising activities and events, they managed to raise enough funds to purchase the property in Gaythorne Road and match fund for the Community Centre. The Church and Community Centre have a Constitution, Management Committee, Trustees, a solicitor and an accountant. The Community Centre is the result of secured funds, and the volunteers are still actively involved in the running of most projects. MEMBERSHIP: The membership of the Church consists of predominantly Afro-Caribbean adults. However, the Sunday School is made up of predominately white children. The Centre is open to all sections of the local community. MAIN ACTIVITIES: Monday - Prayer time 10 am Wednesday - Prayer time 10 am. Bible Study 7.30 pm – 9.20 pm Thursday - Church Junior & Youth Choir practise 8 pm – 10 pm Friday - Prayer time 10 am Sunday - Worship Prayer meetings 12pm – 1 pm Monday to Friday Monday - Computer Classes 10 am – 12 pm. Homework Club 7 pm – 9 pm Tuesday - Mega Bites (13-19 years old) 6.30 pm – 9 pm Wednesday - Adult computer Classes 7 pm – 9 pm Thursday - West Indian cuisine Night 5.30 pm onwards. Youth Club 6 pm – 9 pm. Over 60’s Luncheon & Friendship Club 11 am – 3 pm. Friday - Parent & Toddler Group 10 am – 12 pm. Homework club 7 pm – 9 pm. Community Nursery, each weekday 7.30 am – 5.30 pm |
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© Bradford Trident 2007 |
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Churches Together in BD5. Also known as Branches of the Vine is an umbrella organisation for the Churches in the Trident area.
