Poulton-le-Fylde church makes five-figure donation to help struggling parish
The contribution from St Chad's will put St Nicholas in a more positive position.
Rev Carolyn Leitch and Rev Martin Keighley inside St Nicholas' Church in Fleetwood. Pic: Stuart Thomson
Submitted by Ronnie Semley
A local church has made a generous donation to its neighbour.
St Chad’s in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire has given £30,000 to St Nicholas in Fleetwood to help with their finances.
St Chad’s committed itself to putting £10,000 a year into the finances of St Nicholas’ for three years from 2019.
They did so in conjunction with the people of St Chad’s daughter church, St Hilda’s.
The money will be used by St Nicholas to give the parish new purpose and energy, turning around what was a difficult financial position.
St Chad’s paid £5,000 twice a year to be used toward the St Nicholas’ parish share.
Parish share is an annual amount Church of England parishes are encouraged to contribute.
It pays for mission and ministry, including clergy stipends and their housing.
In doing so, both parishes have been living out the strategic objectives of the Diocesan ‘Vision 2026’ to be and to grow ‘Healthy Churches Transforming Communities’.
Rev. Carolyn Leitch, vicar of St Nicholas, said: “This has enabled the people of St Nicholas to begin to believe in a future for the church in their community.
“It has been a real catalyst for the church to rise up and step out with purpose and energy again.
“Generous giving has to be taught; head knowledge has to become heartfelt, before people respond financially.
“At St Nicholas we are progressing in that direction.”
Rev. Martin Keighley, leader of St Chad’s and local Area Dean, said: “Looking back this is about more than the redistribution of resources.
“It is a wonderful blessing to be able to give; especially when you see the flourishing of Carolyn’s ministry and of the Christian community at St Nicholas that has been made possible.
“The people of St Chad’s and our daughter church St Hilda’s, where Carolyn was Curate-in-Charge for two of her years with us, are proud to be associated with this link.”
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