All twelve churches within the deanery of Warrington have united to form a larger single parish. Now to be known as the Parish of Warrington, this significant step brings together: St Paul’s, St Mary’s, St Philips, St Barnabas, Holy Trinity, St James, St Ann’s, St Andrew’s, St Margaret’s, St Elphin’s, Christ Church Padgate & Church Collective, and Church of the Ascension & Church of the Transfiguration.
By coming together as one parish, the churches have strengthened their shared mission and created new opportunities for collaboration across worship, ministry and community outreach. The formation of the Parish of Warrington marks an important new chapter for the church in the area, with Church Wardens, Treasurers, and Safeguarding Officers already reporting tangible benefits of closer partnerships including shared expertise, support and a more integrated approach to governance and administration.
The Parish of Warrington has already secured additional funding from the National Church to launch an ambitious project establishing new worshipping communities in four local schools. This initiative builds on the strong foundations laid by thriving children’s and youth ministries including Kids Collective, Active Church, and Lifetime, which have contributed to a 17% increase in under 16s participating in worship across Warrington churches over the past two years.
Now, the Parish of Warrington is building on its strong foundation to nurture faith, raise new leaders and serve its communities. As one larger parish, it is well placed not only to sustain what has already grown, but to see even more lives transformed in the years ahead by being able to do things together that, when working alone, would have felt impossible.
New Team Rector, Rev Sarah Peppiatt, said:
“At the beginning of this year we agreed to use Psalm 29 v 11 as our Bible verse for the year: ‘The Lord gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.’. It reminds us that it is God who gives his people strength and God who blesses us. As we begin this new season together, we are trusting that God will supply everything we need and there will be great blessing for all the churches here”.
The Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool, said:
“The coming together of these twelve churches to form the parish of Warrington is a powerful expression of unity and shared purpose. By joining their strengths and vision, they are laying a firm foundation for growth and renewed service to their communities. Their courage and faith are deeply encouraging. I pray that this new chapter will bear much fruit across Warrington in the years to come and that we might see our congregations grow through their faithful witness as joyful disciples.”
The Parish of Warrington follows in the footsteps of the larger single parishes of Church St Helens and Christ Our Hope, formed in 2023 and 2024. Together, they have established 21 new worshipping communities including the formation of a community worship group at Eccleston Court, launched new initiatives such as the Ignite Youth Hub, and invested deeply in children and young people through deanery-wide partnerships.
Lay ministry across Church St Helens and Christ Our Hope is flourishing, with more than 50 new leaders emerging from Cultivate courses, while clergy report feeling supported through strong leadership teams and shared resources.
Rev Will Gibbons, Team Vicar at Christ Our Hope, said:
“We value diversity in unity and encourage each worship community to act locally as we support centrally. We don’t expect someone else to do it all for us, but we know we can rely on high quality support services, clear policies and procedures, and collaborative mission portfolios, that resource and strengthen each church and worshipping community to be more effective in ministry.”
Rev Will Gibbons demonstrates how the Parish of Warrington will flourish through a shared vision and mutual support, allowing congregations to grow in confidence, enabling deeper, lasting impact in their communities.