Celebrating 250 Years of St Thomas Chapel of Ease, Pendleton

Earlier this week on 26th July, people from the parish of St Thomas’s in Pendleton gathered to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the consecration of the church’s Chapel of Ease and in doing so marked its legacy of faith, hospitality and community.

The special service, led by the Revd Peter Bennett, reflected on the vision and generosity of Samuel Brierley, the local landowner who funded the building of the chapel in 1776 for the people of Pendleton. Attendees heard how Brierley’s commitment to serving his community extended beyond the Church of England. He welcomed Methodists to use the chapel, and John Wesley is said to have preached from the chapel doorway. Brierley also donated land for a burial ground to Manchester’s Jewish community, who at the time had no such provision locally.

The service explored how Brierley’s example of generosity, openness and care for people of different traditions remains relevant today. This commitment to building relationships across faith communities remains a vital part of our ministry in the diocese today. 

Despite the wet weather, members of the St Thomas’ congregation gathered at the site of the original chapel alongside a number of invited guests, including the Revd Richard Worsfold, Area Dean of Salford and Leigh; Owen Power, member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Co-Chair of Salford Disability Forum; Councillor Wilson Nkurunziza, Salford City Councillor and member of the City Mayor’s Cabinet with responsibility for Equalities and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector; Theresa Emberton, local historian; and Sandra Morris, Salford Encounter Archdeaconry Lead.

Looking back on 250 years of history, the service was both a celebration of a remarkable local heritage and an invitation to look forward as the church seeks to nurture disciples, strengthen community ties and foster relationships across faiths.