Churches across Rochdale have announced a series of services, community events, and activities for July 2025, welcoming both regular members and newcomers.
St Luke's Church, Deeplish
St Luke's Church will hold a service of Holy Communion on July 5 at 10am, officiated by Revd Pamela Parr. The service will be followed by tea or coffee and a chance to chat. On Wednesday, July 8, at 10am, a Bible Study session will take place, open to anyone interested in learning about the Bible in a friendly and informal way. Later that day at 11am, a Morning Praise service will be officiated by Reader Sue Horobin. The church looks forward to welcoming regular members and anyone who would like to join its friendly, caring congregation.
St Mary's, Balderstone
St Mary's is hosting a free family fun day on July 5 from 2pm to 4pm, with a World Cup theme. The event includes a bouncy castle, treasure hunt, games, crafts, hot dogs, and ice cream. All activities will take place indoors if it rains. The church is also celebrating its 153rd anniversary with a morning service at 10.30am on July 5. A Sunday evening shared prayer gathering will be held at Christ Church (Block Lane, Chadderton, OL9 7QB), with a Zoom option for those unable to attend in person. The SMURFS session will not meet this week due to the annual summer trip. Midweek groups are available for those interested in faith, meeting at 10am in the church lounge and at 7.30pm on Zoom, currently studying Samuel. For more information, visit www.stmarysbalderstone.org.uk or email stmarysbalderstone@gmail.com.
Holy Trinity Benefice of Littleborough
Holy Trinity will celebrate Holy Communion on July 5 at 10.15am, officiated by Revd Ian Stamp, with Sunday School for primary school children during the first half of the service. The service will be followed by tea, coffee, and biscuits. Tuesday evening Bible Study and prayer at 7.30pm continues, currently studying Philippians chapter 2. The church has disbanded its Youth Theatre Workshop due to licensing costs exceeding £1,500 per show. Unsold costumes, including military caps, are available for sale, and the church has previously sold costumes to societies in Germany, Italy, Norway, and America. The annual Art Exhibition will be held on the first weekend of September, featuring a preview evening with cheese and wine on Friday, and a Children's Craft Day on Saturday. Tickets for the preview evening are on sale now.
St Andrew's, Dearnley
St Andrew's held its summer fair on June 28 and is preparing for upcoming services. On July 5, an intergenerational service will be held at 9.30am, open to all ages. On July 12, a traditional Eucharist will take place at 9.30am. The church is collecting handmade poppies for a November display and seeking volunteers for gardening and cleaning. The charity of the month is Springhill Hospice, sponsored by Geoff Hurst. The Rochdale foodbank needs UHT milk, jars of jam, coffee, snacks, instant meals, toiletries, and pet food. A fire evacuation drill will be conducted in July or August. The church leaves readers with Romans 12.12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
St Chad's and St Mary in the Baum
On July 5, the Fifth Sunday after Trinity, services include a Eucharist at St Mary's at 9.15am and a Choral Eucharist at St Chad's at 11.15am, both led by Rev Morley Morgan and Rev Sue Morgan. The Red Cross provides help for refugees at St Mary's on Mondays from 10am to 2pm. On July 8, the Friends Together Bereavement Support Group meets at St Chad's from 10am to noon, and the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features Leda Mileto (violin) and Kanako Mizuno (piano) at St Mary's from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, admission £6. St Chad's is open to visitors on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm throughout the summer. Gardening takes place on Wednesdays from 1pm to 3pm, and cleaning on Thursdays from 10.30am to noon. On July 11, Saturday Midday Music features the Kell Wind Trio at noon, admission £6. On July 12, services include a Eucharist at St Mary's at 9.15am and Choral Matins at St Chad's at 11.15am. The Asian Christian Fellowship worships at St Chad's on Sunday afternoons; for details, call 07983 388169. Children's activities are available during Sunday morning services, and refreshments are provided afterwards.
