The United Benefice of Christ Church, Moldgreen and S t J a me s ’ Church, Rawthorpe
Christ Church
St James’ Church and Parish Centre
PARISH BROCHURE 2017
OUR MISSION STATEMENTS On The Inside St. James’ Church Welcome to Huddersfield 2 Transforming our Lives, Church and Christ Church 4 Community with the Power and Love of God
St James’ Church 11 What We Do Together 17 Christ Church
Le er to Our Future 18 Living in the love of God, loving one another Parish Priest and making Him known
Huddersfield is situated in the eastern foothills of the Pennines, halfway between Leeds and Manchester. According to a UK Census, it is the 10th largest town in the country and in the largest urban area in the United Kingdom (Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees). There is easy access to the M62 & M1 and the Railway Sta on.
Huddersfield has the most splendid Railway Sta on façade, regarded as second only to St Pancras, in London.
Huddersfield Railway Sta on
Huddersfield has the third highest number of listed buildings in the country. The Town has an abundance of Victorian architecture, the most conspicuous being Victoria Tower on the top of Castle Hill overlooking the town.
Castle Hill 2
The town and the surrounding areas are ideal for visi ng stately homes, restaurants, pubs, farm shops, garden shops as well as for walking, hiking and cycling.
Huddersfield is s ll a manufacturing town for tex les, chemicals, engineering and electronics. There are a number of niche manufacturers. The University of Huddersfield is the largest employer.
A FEW FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN IN HUDDERSFIELD Harold Wilson KG, Lord Wilson of Rievaulx, winner of four general elec ons. There is a fabulous statue of him outside our magnificent Railway Sta on. He promoted the concept of an Open University which was the world’s first successful distance teaching university, founded on the belief that communica ons technology could bring high quality degree-level learning to people who had not had the opportunity to a end tradi onal LORD HAROLD WILSON campus universi es. (1916 – 1995) In foreground
James Mason was a great English actor of Bri sh and American Films.
Gorden Kaye – René from ‘Allo Allo’, who sadly, recently passed away. He a ended Moldgreen Primary school.
Sally Wainwright – writer of Happy Valley which was filmed in and around Huddersfield.
JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM - Huddersfield is literally the home of Rugby League – the town invented the sport in 1895 . The John Smith’s Stadium is now home to the Huddersfield Giants Rugby team and Huddersfield Town FC who are currently in the Premier League (and are actually playing really well). In 1926 Huddersfield Town became the first English team to win 3 successive league tles; a record which has been matched but never beaten. There is an Odeon mul plex cinema near the John Smith Stadium.
LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE - only five minutes away from the University and is situated in the busy town centre. The theatre presents a variety of shows including plays, stand-up comedy, small music gigs and poetry nights. Every year, Huddersfield plays host to the world’s largest contemporary music fes val. Huddersfield Choral Society is world famous. The society was founded in 1836 and has gone on to be interna onally famous, known as the UK’s best choral society, certainly something to sing about!
HUDDERSFIELD COAT OF ARMS ‘GOD HELPS THE DILIGENT’
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In 1941 Mrs A L Barre made a generous gi to the Church, making it possible for the fi ng of a reredos, together with sanctuary panelling and a new pulpit. The reredos was made to the design of Sir Charles A Nicholson by Messrs. E Bowman and Sons of Stamford, the actual carving being done by woodcarvers from Oberammergan who had come to England as refugees during the war.
The Reredos of the High Altar
DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN OF THE REREDOS: “As our parish is dedicated as ‘Christ Church’ Moldgreen, the central figure is our Lord as King – Risen, Ascended; His right hand is raised in blessing and His le hand is holding an Orb which signifies His Lordship over the whole earth. From le to right are two ancestors – King David, His ancestor and the Blessed Virgin Mary, his mother, S. John the Bap st, the forerunner of the Gospel and S. Luke, one of the narrators of the Gospel.
The lower panels represent scenes to illustrate the Apostles’ Creed. From le to right they are: the Annuncia on; the Holy Na vity; the descent to Hades; and the Resurrec on – this last being Illustrated by the central figure of our Lord on the Cross, a ended by His Mother and S. John the beloved disciple.”
The Parish of Christ Church Moldgreen is part of the Deanery of Almondbury. It is an urban parish that is situated about one and a half miles outside of Huddersfield town centre on the main Huddersfield to Wakefield Road, which dissects the parish. The social context is that of a mul -racial community, with a high propor on of students living in rented accommoda on (Huddersfield University is 10 minutes’ walk away). Housing is mainly Victorian terraced proper es although there has been in the last 30 years a housing estate of semi-detached and detached proper es and more recently new apartment blocks being built. Recrea onal facili es within the parish are mainly public houses, a park and a children’s play area. Other Christ Church & Vicarage ameni es include one nursing home, a doctor’s sur- gery, a school, a den st, a veterinary prac ce and a number of shops and businesses. In February 2017 a Lifeways supported living complex opened on Broad Lane, at the bo om of Brook Street. The John Smith’s Stadium – situated at the end of stadium way, the boundary between Moldgreen and Rawthorpe Parishes, is a vital part of the recrea onal life of not only the parish, but also the wider Huddersfield area. 4
The Church was built in 1863. However, today what you see on the outside is completely different to the inside. In the late 1980s the whole of the inside of the church was extensively re-modernised to create one mul -purpose building. The chancel was blocked-off to create two large rooms and a kitchen. The main body of the church was reordered. The pews were replaced with chairs and a prayer chapel created. As the dais is portable this means that the direc on of the congrega on can be flexible either east or north facing. In recent years new altar tables were gi ed and a new stained glass window in the prayer chapel was commissioned. Body of the Church
The stained glass windows were retained in the upper room along with the ornate ceiling thus making a reflec ve room for small gatherings. Off this room, where the organ lo was situated is a small area which is used by the young people. We are not currently using the upper room as there is no disabled access.
Upper Room
Lower Room
There is no graveyard a ached to the church but there is a small memorial garden within the grounds where ashes can be interred and plaques fixed to the copingstones.
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Prayer Chapel
All our Sunday morning services start at 11.00 am. On the first Sunday of the month we meet for All Age Worship. On the second and fourth Sunday mornings we meet for Holy Communion, with the young people going into Sunday School for fun based learning, and returning to join us at the Peace. On the third Sunday we meet for a Morning Praise service.
Whenever there is a fi h Sunday in the month a joint service is held with St James’, Rawthorpe (alterna ng from one parish to the other).
On Wednesday morning we hold a Holy Communion service at 9.30 am.
Our style of worship is evangelical. We use a mix of modern worship songs together with more tradi onal hymns. We have a small music group comprising of guitar, flute and drums, with singers. We also have a member of the congrega on who plays the piano/keyboard and she is willing to play when asked. The congrega on expect the Clergy to be robed for Communion services, but other services are less formal. Our Easter and Christmas services are always well a ended, with people coming along who do not a end Church on a regular basis.
Chris ngle Service – December 2016 During the past year we have had one Wedding, one Bap sm, one Thanksgiving service and six Funerals in church. There have also been six Funerals taken by clergy not in church. We have had one youngster confirmed. 6
There are 40 people on the Electoral roll. Approximately half of these live outside the parish. Over the last year our average a endance has been 34 adults and 7 children (under 16). We are very low in ethnic minority, 3 regularly a ending.
We consider ourselves to be a warm and welcoming congrega on, which is made up of mostly mid- dle-aged and elderly people, together with 4 regularly a ending young families.
OTHER CLERGY AND MINISTRIES Lay Pastoral Ministers We have one Lay Pastoral Minister; Mrs Gillian Davison.
Other Ministries We have a number of people in the congrega on involved in other ministries: Bible reading, administering the Chalice, serving refreshments a er the service, sidespersons, verger, intercessions and prayer ministry a er the service.
Housegroup We have one Housegroup who meet regularly on a fortnightly basis with an a endance of approximately 7 members.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S GROUPS The young people have fun based teaching in Sunday School on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month. They are split into three age groups, under 6, 6-9 and 10+ each with their own adult leader. We have an average a endance of 9 young people and this is subject to fluctua on.
Arrangements have been made for our young people to a end ac vi es outside the Church building, allowing them to mix with other young Chris ans. This last year they a ended the Big Night Out at Lightwater Valley near Ripon which is organised for all young people school years 7-11.
We have organised Messy Church ac vi es Big Night Out at Lightwater Valley with invita ons to the local school and playgroup.
The Na vity – December 2016 7
Our young people are looking forward to the appointment of our new priest and they wanted to give a flavour of the type of person they hope will join us:-
THE CHURCH An Ac ve Prayer Chain provides instant prayer support when needed. Our congrega on, though small, are regular worshippers, always willing to help and are open to change.
Is of great concern to us and is monitored monthly. Total Annual Receipts average £30,000. The total Annual Running Costs (omi ng Parish Share) average £13,000. We aim to give 10% of our Giving to Missions – Home & Abroad. - These include The Welcome Centre and our Parish Link with St Paul’s Church, Mogubiri in the Diocese of Musoma, - The collec on taken at the Chris ngle Service is given to the Childrens’ Society. Other chari es supported include Gideon Bibles and Chris an Aid. At the end of 2016 we were £9,039 short of paying the parish share of £22,019. In 2017 we s ll have £5,000 to pay but by the year end aim to have paid our share in full. One third of our members give through Gi Aid. Twenty of our members are re red. It is PCC Policy to maintain a balance in the CCLA (CBF Deposit Fund to ensure payment of essen al running costs (Insurance etc) in the following year - £9,300 at the end of 2016. However, this money is being held to meet the cost of a new boiler.
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Fund raising is generally through Winter and Summer Fayres and social gatherings (quiz nights, coffee mornings and cream teas). This provides enjoyable and popular social fellowship both for the Church members and the wider community. We held a Poverty Sunday frugal lunch to raise funds for Church Ac on on Poverty.
On Good Friday we give out Hot Cross Buns to the people in Moldgreen. This gives us an opportunity to share the Easter story and occasionally people have been open to us praying with them. We have adapted this on other occasions by giving out small posies of flowers with a Bible verse a ached. Again, this gives us a valuable opportunity to meet and engage with ‘Moldgreeners’.
Special appeals take place to raise money for major projects.
Recent Coffee Morning OTHER CHURCHES Dalton Methodist Church and United Reformed Church are both situated in the parish on the main Wakefield Road. We have had links with these two churches in the past as part of the Churches Together scheme, which also includes Dalton Bap st. St Joseph’s Catholic Church is also on the edge of the parish boundary.
LOCAL INSTITUTIONS Moldgreen Nursery, Infant & Junior School lies within the parish, but it is not a Church School. Whilst efforts have been made in the past to forge a link with the school, the rela onship between the Church and the school requires some nurture.
The following groups use the Church Building: Playgroup - they meet every weekday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm during term me. Rainbows, Brownies & Guides – meet on Friday evening during term me.
We have a close working rela onship with both the Playgroup and the uniformed groups. We have recently begun a Coffee Morning every Thursday offering free drinks and biscuits to the mums and dads dropping their children at the Playgroup. This has been very successful and is helping to build rela onships with people on the outside of the regular Church ac vi es. Invita ons were extended and a number of the parents and children a ended the Chris ngle service for the first me.
We are invited by the Playgroup to provide a Chris an input at key fes vals - Easter and Christmas, with the Vicar, and more recently the Church Warden, speaking to the children about the birth and life of Jesus. 9
MISSION STATEMENT We have a mission statement: ‘Living in the love of God, loving one another and making Him known’. This text is used throughout the year and placed on no ces and newssheets etc.
Our desire is to be a visible Church in the community and we are willing to explore new ways to achieve this. We held a ‘Praise in the Park’ where we took a picnic lunch and then sang worship songs together. This was a Churches Together event.
Praise in the Park
THE CHURCH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
Strengths We have a strong core group within the congrega on who are commi ed leaders i.e. Children’s Workers, Worship Group, Lay Pastoral Minister, PCC and Churchwardens – all working together as a team.
Weaknesses A steady decline in numbers over the last 10 years and in financial giving are a con nued concern. However, the present congrega on are an ac ve, caring and suppor ve group who are forward looking in their Chris an life.
Challenges and Opportuni es We are looking for ways to be visible in our community. We want to be seen as a suppor ng, loving people who go out to make disciples and encourage a new genera on to explore the Chris an Faith.
Areas for Development The main key areas that we wish to work on are prayer, teaching/Bible knowledge and community work
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TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES, CHURCH and COMMUNITY with the POWER and LOVE OF GOD
Poppy grown from seeds given to us by the Diocese in 2014 For the commemora on the 100th Anniversary of World War 1
St. James’ Church and Parish Centre is part of the Joint Benefice with Christ Church and the Deanery of Almondbury, situated in an urban parish about 2 miles from Huddersfield Town Centre. The University of Huddersfield is nearby and there is easy access to the M62 and Leeds.
We are in the middle of two housing estates, Rawthorpe and part of Dalton which were built during the 1930s and 1950s. More houses have been built since then. Many of the houses are privately owned and the others are owned by Kirklees Council and Housing Associa ons. The community is 70% White Bri sh, Caribbean, Black Bri sh and other ethnic minori es. The popula on is 3,434. Within our Parish are two community centres; the DRAM with a sports field and Rawthorpe Community Centre, a library and the Bap st Church.
LOCAL SCHOOLS Rawthorpe St James CE Infant and Nursery School - This is our Church School. Our previous Priest led assemblies each week alterna ng between Infant and Junior schools. Rawthorpe Junior School Nether Hall Learning Campus High School
Google LOCAL SHOPS & BUSINESSES A Takeaway, 2 News agents, a Bridal Shop, a Riding School and a Public House
JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM - Less than a mile away, Professional Football and Rugby with gymnasi- um and swimming pool etc. Next door a Coffee Shop, Cinema, Restaurant and Public House. Opposite is a Retail Park (not in our parish).
SYNGENTA - large manufacturing centre of crop protec on products. They donated several used computers to us in 2016 so that we could upgrade to Windows 10.
The nearest Doctor and Den st Surgeries and Pharmacies are situated in Moldgreen and Waterloo. There is an excellent bus service to and from Huddersfield Town Centre.
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In 1933 ST. JAMES’ began in Foxlow House, Rawthorpe. The local people and businesses showed a genuine desire for a Church to be built. Together over the years they made generous contribu ons towards their new church. In 1960 ST. JAMES’CHURCH (the new building) was consecrated and Foxlow House became the Church Hall with an adjoining Vicarage. In 1999 The Church Hall and the Vicarage were demolished and the land which the Church owned was sold to a housing associa on. New houses were built on the land in 2000/2001. In 2001 ST. JAMES’ CHURCH was modernised to create a mul purpose building. Downstairs: a Vestry, Office, Kitchen, boiler room, 2 storerooms, toilets & disability toilet. Upstairs: Computer Room, Prayer Room, Mee ng Room, 2 storerooms, toilets & shower.
1960
2017
The Altar
The Hall
This is the original hardwood floor of the Church which looks like new. The floor was recently sanded, levelled & has a protec ve coa ng.
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MORNING SERVICE at 9.30 am 1st and 3rd Sunday Family Service and Morning Worship 2nd and 4th Sunday Holy Communion and Sunday school 5th Sunday Joint Service alternates with Christ Church Monday Morning Prayer Mee ng and Prayer Chain 9.30am - Led by our Lay Pastoral Minister at present in lieu of a Priest. The Church Wardens and Priest occasionally go out to lunch a er morning prayer.
St. James is open Evangelical and is flexible and modern in our approach to worship. We use Modern Common Worship, Seasonal Common Worship, New Pa erns Worship and Songs of Fellowship with tradi onal & contemporary music. We use an overhead projector, computer and our music is played from cd’s or by our newly formed music group. We have a number of instruments and our piano/organ is used at funerals and on other occasions. We expect the Clergy to be robed for communion services and other services can be less formal.
In 2016 we had 3 Bap sms, 1 Thanksgiving, 2 Confirma ons and 2 Funerals. From January to August 2017 we have had 1 Bap sm, 1 Thanksgiving, 1 Confirma on & 1 Funeral (not in church)
SPECIAL SERVICES Maundy Thursday - an evening service with a meal. We invited Christ Church, Bap st Church and United Reform Church. Carol Service - with a ernoon tea and cake and a na vity play performed by our Sunday school. Breakfast Café Church (informal worship) three mes a year. Harvest Service - with a collec on for our Foodbank. Christ Church donates their collec on Remembrance Sunday - 40 people a ended this service We invite the community to join us at these services and Remembrance Sunday many a end from our parish.
OUR CONGREGATION Although our Congrega on is small (average a endance is 28) they are loyal and devout Chris ans. They are a mix of white Bri sh, Caribbean, black Bri sh and Chinese of all ages, male and female. Only one member lives outside of the parish. We always have tea and coffee a er our services.
OUR CHARITIES We support Chris an Aid, the Gideon’s and our own Foodbank.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL “Jimmy’s on Sunday” is the name of our Sunday school. It restarted in July 2014 with 6 children and has now increased to 11. We have a prize giving in July for good a endance and a Christmas Party. The Na vity Play performed by the children was a resounding success. Sunday School Na vity @ Carol Service 2016 13
We have a centre manager who is a volunteer from Monday to Thursday. We pay his travel expenses. We have another volunteer who assists in the computer room from Monday to Friday. “I enjoy the challenge of working in an area that requires the community to realise the benefits of working together to achieve more than everyone on their own.”
COMPUTER ROOM – for Family History, Job Search and Lessons - Mon – Fri (28 local people) “I really enjoy volunteering at St James Church & parish centre, as I’ve been doing it for many years. It is good experience for me, making new friends who are a good support for me and thoroughly enjoy being with them and learning new skills. I help people with computer work it is something I enjoy doing as it gives me confidence to improve further skills and meet new people.”
BROWNIES - Rawthorpe Brownie Pack have been at St James for over 50 years. There are 19 members.
ACTIVE SOCIAL CLUB – for young adults with various special needs, they have lunch and ac vi es on Thursdays from 10.00a.m.to 2.00p.m. (30 people)
DANCE SCHOOL – A well-established school with lessons in ballet, modern and tap Monday to Thursday 4.00pm – 9.00pm and Saturday 8.am – 5pm (100 pupils) “The room is spacious and has a good floor surface and always clean and dy. I have found the members and commi ee most friendly and helpful. There is always a welcoming atmosphere.”
ST JAMES SCHOOL Infant and Nursery – they hold their end of term assemblies and Messy Church here. The Church Wardens assist.
POLLING STATION – for LOCAL & NATIONAL ELECTIONS
MEETING ROOM – casual hire
PRAYER ROOM– hire to Chris an counsellor
HALL HIRE – for children’s birthday par es 2 or 3 per month
Hall can even fit a bouncy castle
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God has blessed us by giving us all different talents and we are able to put them to good use. We are an ac ve group and work together as a team. We meet once a month and publish a newsle er each month showing our Services and other events. Our Church Warden and Secretary a end Deanery Mee ngs.
We have opened a Food bank to which we all, including the congrega on contribute. Together with Christ Church we donate our Harvest collec on to our Foodbank. We open on Tuesday mornings and offer tea and cake, a chat and a prayer. We are able to help people who need our assistance.
Harvest collec on Stocking our Foodbank
We have been to retreats with Christ Church to the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham, Foxhill and Ellel Grange.
Walsingham
We have a joint Christmas meal at a pub every year. We organise day trips. Some of the places we have visited include a Lavender Farm, York Chocolate Factory, a Rhubarb Farm and Southport. Christ Church and others from the community join us. Christmas Meal
We have a Table Top Fair twice a year to raise funds. They are very successful with many interes ng stalls. Refreshments are available. Father Christmas pays a visit at the Christmas fair.
Christmas Table Top Fair
For the Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebra ons we invited the community to join us for a party. Orb & Crown Decora ons Floral Arrangement at Queen’s Birthday Party 15
NEW MUSIC GROUP Our music group began in January, born out of a grant we received from the Bishop’s Development Fund to begin a new project that involve young people that can lead to church growth. Consis ng of our Sunday school children guided by 4 adults the group prac se on Friday evenings and has progressed to provide musical accompaniment one Sunday service every month. The congrega on are very impressed with them.
Music Group @ Palm Sunday Breakfast service
Children giving a gi to the Priest at the end of her last Service
Our congrega on is increasing, together with fund raising and le ngs our financial posi on is gradually improving. Parish share of £12,636.00 in 2015 was paid in full. In 2016 we were £10,857 short of paying our share of £12,857.00. In 2017 we have a balance of £5,828.00 le to be paid before the year end. Clergy expenses are always paid in full.
MISSION Transforming our Lives, Church and Community with the Power and Love of God Our desire is for the Church to con nue to grow both spiritually and numerically. We do have a good rela onship with some of the community. However we do need to find more ways to reach out to people who live on the estates and bring them together with us in our worship of God.
OUTREACH We have been out and about in our Parish. On Good Friday morning we offered Hot Cross buns and a Why Jesus booklet to those we met on the streets. We made posies of fresh flowers. A ached a biblical message and laid on walls, benches, outside schools for people to pick up and enjoy. We did some door knocking in part of the Dalton estate and offered prayers if wanted. Our church is open Monday to Thursday and Sunday for everyone. THE CROSS FUTURE MADE FROM THE PEWS OF WAKEFIELD CATHEDRAL 2012 We will con nue to open the church to the community and to make the people of our parish more aware of our church. To show them that having God in their lives brings peace and happiness and that God accepts all of us.
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As a benefice we have a number of joint services and events throughout the year. Members of both churches a end and are involved in planning and partake in different parts of the service. Our 5th Sunday Joint Services are alternated between parishes and members of both churches are involved in readings, prayers and other parts of worship. Ad hoc joint services are held as circumstances dictate - congrega on availability, other events on the day, holiday cover.
Over Easter me Good Friday service is held at Christ Church. Maundy Thursday communion meal is a Churches Together event the service is rotated around each church. Every church brings a dish and the service is led by the respec ve church. We have been to Christ Church, St James, United Reform Church. Next year it’s Dalton Bap st.
Maundy Thursday Churches Together Service
During the Christmas season Midnight Mass is alternated between churches .Christmas Day service is held at Christ Church and music is usually provided by a member of Christ Church and St James. Carol service with a ernoon tea is held at St James and Chris ngle is held at Christ Church. Christmas Meal
We have a number of social trips , spiritual retreats , special services, themed quiz and movie nights that are enjoyed by a number of the community. The annual ‘special lives’ services for All Souls are always well a ended.
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Both congrega ons of St James’ Church and Christ Church have always played an ac ve part in the care and nurture of our parish priest. We are close, suppor ve congrega ons and the priest has always been part of that inclusive rela onship.
The quali es that we pray you have are A calling to do God’s work in our churches and within our parishes. A sensi ve and approachable person with a vision to guide us with new and exci ng ways for growth. Good leadership skills and understanding of financial ma ers. To recognise gi s in others, to encourage and enable them. Friendly, empathic, a good listener and communicator with people of all ages. A team leader who is willing to ask for help and accept help when offered. A good sense of humour.
In return we offer you friendly, warm and welcoming congrega ons with suppor ve, hardworking and enthusias c PCCs. We are con nuing to work together using each other’s strengths and gi ings and looking forward to welcoming you.
YOUR NEW HOME
The vicarage is located within the church grounds of Christ Church. It is a five bedroom detached house with hall, two recep on rooms, kitchen, study, bathroom, separate downstairs toilet, garage and garden. It was built 33 years ago.
The Parishes are near to the University and there are quite a number of students from the university who live in our two parishes. We see the new link with the University Chaplaincy as giving us an opportunity to reach out to students and to welcome them to our congrega ons. We are confident that our future together will be bright with the right person to lead us to carry on with God’s work. Are you that Person?
Thank you for reading our Brochure.
Christ Church St. James Church & Parish Centre 35 Church Street, Moldgreen, 1 St James Way, Rawthorpe Huddersfield HD5 9DL Huddersfield HD5 9NG Telephone 01484/424432 Telephone 01484/532955 18