St Wilfrid’s Church
Parish Profile
Mission Statement
St Wilfrid’s Church seeks to build
mature disciples of Christ through
the direction of the Word of God, the
encouragement of the people of
God, the goal of the true worship of
God and thereby reach out to our
community and world with the love
of God.
The Parish of Davenham, Kingsmead, Leftwich and Gadbrook
(Middlewich Deanery, Chester Archdeaconry 0603)
Church Street, Davenham CW9 8NF
Our Parish
The Parish of Davenham (St Wilfrid’s), Leftwich, Kingsmead and Gadbrook is situated in mid
Cheshire, in the centre of the diocese. It is a large parish, stretching five miles from north to
south, and five miles from east to west. To the north, the parish extends to the Railway
viaduct across London Road. The western boundary is the river Weaver from the Viaduct
Bridge to the Vale Royal locks. The southern and eastern areas of the parish are almost
entirely rural and farming land. The eastern boundary is King Street (old Roman road) and Bostock
Hall lies almost on the southern boundary. Davenham village lies at the centre of the parish. A
map of the parish boundaries is shown below:
St Wilfrid’s
Parish Boundary
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
2 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The parish now has a total population of approximately 12,000, having more or less doubled
over the past twenty years with the completion of Kingsmead village. As a result of this rapid
increase in population the 2001 statistical information is now not suited for planning
purposes but is of general interest only. All socio-economic groups are represented with
professional and managerial dominating. Leftwich is largely made up of Council property,
which is now mostly privately owned.
There is a complete mix of types of housing, though the Kingsmead village has added a high
proportion of modern detached houses and apartments. Approximately 80% of the estate
housing is owner occupied, with the remaining 20% being rented almost equally through
Housing Associations and private owners. (Please refer to The Spotlight report in Appendix 3
for further details). It must also be noted that there is also a proposed development of 250300 houses on the land between Leftwich estate and the river Dane. This will mean a
significant rise in the parish population and may occasion the building of another primary
school (existing local schools are full). In addition there is an additional 37 houses in
Davenham under construction with another 40 houses proposed for development.
There were two churches included in the Parish, The church of the Good Shepherd (built on
the site of Leftwich Hall in the middle of the council estate in Leftwich) and St Wilfrid’s
church in Davenham. In 2006 the church of the Good Shepherd was demolished due to major
structural problems and increasing vandalism, although the church ground is still retained
and maintained by the parish, but has been left fallow. The parish also contains the fire and
ambulance stations for the area, a day care centre, a women's refuge house, 2 blocks of
Sheltered Flats and a Social Services Community Support Centre.
Gadbrook business park is part of the parish to the easterly boundary, and this includes a
number of small to medium sized businesses. To the South there are a number of farms and
a nursing home for the elderly (Davenham Hall).
The parish of Davenham is very ancient, being mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was
originally larger, but the parishes of Moulton and Wharton were created out of it and remain
independent, although the Rector of Davenham is patron of both parishes. The parish of
Danebridge was also created out of the parish of Davenham but was reincorporated in 1930.
Danebridge has now been incorporated into the parish of Witton, following a recent
rationalisation of the local parish boundaries.
The parish is effectively divided into three areas. Davenham and Gadbrook are separated
from Leftwich and Kingsmead by the Northwich bypass - the A556. Kingsmead has recently
been structured into a village with its own parish council, with Leftwich containing mostly
social housing .
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
3 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The separation may be more than just physical – potentially due to long standing cultural
stereotyping as Davenham village is long established, Kingsmead Village being built since
1998, and Leftwich containing poorer areas. All three areas are served by a selection of local
shops with pubs/restaurants in Kingsmead and Davenham, the latter also having a petrol
station. At the eastern edge of Davenham village there is also a recently approved small
gypsy site. Bostock Hall, situated close to southern border of the parish, is a gated
community where the hall has been converted into apartments and housing built in the
grounds.
The parish is a desirable place to live, particularly Davenham and Kingsmead, and is reflected
in higher than average house prices. However, all parts of the parish have the expected
problems associated with modern living but there are no special social problems. Ethnic
minorities are almost unrepresented in the parish.
The church is highly regarded within the community, and is well known as a very “warm” and
“welcoming” church, and this is shown by the steady increase in attendees for the major
services over all age groups in recent years.
Davenham Methodist church is within the same parish as St Wilfrid’s. There are good
relationships with this church. In lent, the two churches cooperate with a joint worship
event.
Schools in the Parish
Educational services are provided by several schools and colleges:

Davenham Church of England Primary School: a very highly regarded school with much
competition for places with good connections with St Wilfrid’s
(http://www.davenhamcofeprimary.com/) . The school (being Church of England aided)
is very open to church contact, and has a number of church members on the board of
governors. Both the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress are active members of the
congregation, and arrange school services and concerts in the church as much as possible.
The Rector and PCC appointees are on the board of governors as foundation members.

Leftwich Community Primary School: (http://www.leftwichprimary.cheshire.sch.uk/) this is
now gaining much respect and experiencing increasing demand. Leftwich Community
primary school is open to church contact.

Kingsmead Primary School: (http://www.kingsmead.cheshire.sch.uk/) the newest of the
local primary schools. Kingsmead primary school is also open to church contact. It has
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
4 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
used St Wilfrid’s for a number of special events, the clergy have taken occasional
assemblies there, and the assistant minister is on the board of governors

The County High School Leftwich: (http://www.leftwichhigh.com/) again has a good and
growing reputation and has recently gained Academy status, although this is less
open to church contact than the primary schools.

Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College: (http://www.sjd.ac.uk/) another respected institution
attracting pupils from a wide area of Cheshire. The Sixth Form College has been virtually
closed to all church contact, but with a recent change in principal it is believed the
situation is changing for the better.
Community facilities
Leftwich green is an elderly respite centre based on the estate for social housing. Wakefield
Court in Leftwich and Fountain Court in Davenham provide sheltered accommodation for the
elderly. Davenham Hall & the Barns (dementia unit) nursing home is situated in Davenham
and provides nursing support for the elderly.
Fountain Court is supported by the church for Communion (once per month) and also holds a
weekly bible study group. Davenham Hall is supported by Communion once per month.
There are no hospitals in the Parish, although Leighton hospital Crewe is about 20 minutes
drive away, and the Victoria Infirmary satellite hospital in Northwich is about 10 minutes
drive away.
It has been customary for cremations to take place at Altrincham, Crewe, Warrington and
sometimes Chester Crematoria. However a new crematorium is being built near the north
perimeter of St Wilfrid’s parish close to the A556.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
5 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The Lay Leadership team
The current church wardens are shown below with the parish representatives for this
vacancy:
Wardens
Martin
Mewies
martin@trulymanic.co.uk
01606 331319
Sylvia
Ellershaw
sylviaellershaw@live.co.uk
01606 351022
martin@trulymanic.co.uk
01606 331319
philipbaylis@btinternet.com
01606 40868
Parish
Martin
Representatives Mewies
Philip Baylis
The Standing Committee currently comprises: The Rector, The Treasurer, The PCC Secretary,
Wardens and Deputy Wardens, and meets five times per year.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) also meets five times per year.
The parish Secretary is located in the church office at 57 Church Street. The office is normally
manned 4 days per week. The current secretary is also a member of the congregation, and is
currently on a temporary contract.
Note: The latest Warden and PCC Secretaries reports may be found in Appendix 2.
The current Staff Team consists of a licensed Assistant Minister, a retired clergyman , 3
licensed Readers, 1 Emeritus Reader, 1 Reader-in-training, and a church Secretary
(temporary contract currently).
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
6 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The Church
There has been a church building in Davenham for over a thousand years and the church is
regarded as being in the centre of the
diocese. It is an attractive building with a
very tall spire which is a landmark for
miles around. It seats over 350 people
tightly packed! There was an ancient oak
tree nearby (at Bostock Green) which
was said to be in the centre of the
county. Another suggestion was that if
the diocese was turned over it would
spin on the spire of the church.
Legend says that the church was
founded by St Wilfrid on a journey
through Cheshire in the 7th century, but
the first documented evidence of a
church on the site was in 1086.
History
A church on the site was recorded in the Doomsday Book. A later church was built in the 14th
century and its chancel was rebuilt in 1680 and again in 1795. The present church dates from
1842–44 when the body of the church was replaced, and the tower and spire were repaired,
the architect being Edmund Sharpe of Lancaster. The nave was lengthened by one bay,
heightened and widened, and galleries were inserted on three sides. The tower was damaged
when it was struck by lightning on 13th July 1830, and had to be demolished and rebuilt
following a subsequent lightning strike on 16 July 1850. A new tower was designed by Sharpe
and his partner at the time, E. G. Paley. Sadly this was again damaged by an Earthquake in
1984 and was subsequently repaired. The chancel and transepts date from 1870 by the later
partners in the practice, Paley and Austin.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
7 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
Interior
In the chancel is a two-arched sedilia. The reredos contains an alabaster relief depicting The
Last Supper. The monuments in the church include ones to William Tomkinson who died in
1770 by Benjamin Bromfield, to Mrs France who died in 1814 by S. and F. Franceys of
Liverpool, to Mrs Harper dated 1833 by Francesco Pozzi of Florence with a relief of a mother
and child, and to Frederick and Cecil France-Hayhurst who died in 1915, by Underwood. In the
south aisle is a war memorial chapel designed by Sir Robert Lorimer. It contains a reredos with
carvings of personifications of virtues, framed by carved friezes, and posts surmounted by
angels. There are stained glass windows by David Evans of Shrewsbury dating from the early
19th century, and by J. C. Bewsey dated 1932.
In 2010 it was discovered that the carpet in the chancel
was hiding a floor constructed in the mid 19th century with
encaustic tiles made by renowned Stoke-on-Trent potter
Herbert Minton and laid by prestigious architect John
Douglas, who lived in nearby Sandiway who was also
responsible for work on the Duke of Westminster’s vast
Eaton estate, and the design of Chester’s iconic Eastgate
Clock.
This is just one of the treasures of St Wilfrid’s as a 16th century
tapestry is currently being restored in London.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
8 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The Organ
The historically significant organ is a second hand instrument originally from a Presbyterian
chapel in Holywell and was installed in Davenham in 1978 in the north transept. It is one of 4
John Bellamy organs ever made and was refurbished in 2012 – not only as a musical
instrument for church services, but also with a view to its being used as an educational
resource.
The Bells
The ring consists of six bells. Four of these, dated 1757, 1761 (2), and 1765 are by Rudhall of
Gloucester and a bell dated 1826 is by Thomas Mears II of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The
sixth bell, which is undated, is by William Noone. Sadly, there are no ringers from the present
congregation in the church bell ringing group.
External features
In the churchyard is a table tomb to the memory of William Worthington of Leftwich, a
merchant who died in 1808, and members of his family. Also a number of Hayhursts and
France-Hayhurst are buried in the churchyard. The table tomb together with the church and
Lych gate (dating from the 19th Century) are all designated by English Heritage as Grade II*
listed. In the churchyard is a memorial to the Russell Allen family, with dates including 1927,
also by Lorimer. The churchyard contains 18 war graves of British service personnel, 13 from
World War I, and five from World War II.
The churchyard is currently being maintained by the local ‘payback team’ and has not been
‘closed’ although it is almost full for new graves, unless it is further expanded.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
9 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
Other Properties
The parish also owns a church hall on church street nearer to the village. The hall has been
condemned due to flood damage in the winter of 2010-11, and a replacement facility is a
current focus of PCC attention. The ex-verger's house, at number 57 church street, has been
converted into the: parish office, further meeting rooms, and rented out accommodation on
the first floor for a local company (whose executives attend the church) . The 'Hayhurst
room', donated by the Hayhurst family adjacent to ‘no 57’ has been recently re-furbished to
modern standards, which includes a disabled toilet (although no practical disabled access)
and kitchen facilities. This is utilized as a larger meeting room, and is a centre for some junior
church activities and for ‘Ignite’ a church based youth
group. The refurbishments were officially re-opened by
James France-Hayhurst in June 2012.
The rectory was built in the 1970s, is in a reasonable
state of repair, although there have been recent repairs
necessitated by issues with the heating system, septic
and foul water drainage to the property.
Financial Situation
Please refer to Appendix 1 for the most recent detailed financial information.
The Church Website
The church website address is to be found at: http://davenhamparish.net/
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
10 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The Congregation
The congregation is representative of the parish with very
few attendees from outside the area. The electoral roll (2013)
currently stands at 186 following the preparation of the new
roll, for 2012 this was 210. Sunday attendance totals between
100 -130, with 20 -30 children attending the morning service.
80-100 people take Communion, which now includes several
children since the parish received the Bishop's licence in
January 2008.
The statistics for 2012-13 are:
Electoral Roll





186
Baptisms
44
Weddings
8
Confirmations
0
Church Funerals
41
Crematorium
12
The Mothers' Union branch is very active, and growing.
There are also a Ladies Circle group and a Men's Fellowship.
Attendance is rare from the Uniformed Organisations formally linked to the Church.
The Rector is Chaplain to the Davenham Royal British Legion.
We produce a church magazine 10 times per year, and volunteers distribute this free of charge to
approximately 350 parishioners with a further 20-30 emailed out.
There is a very active pastoral care group, ‘Circle of Care', which operates in three areas:1. General visiting of the housebound, those who are ill, including those in hospital, and
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
11 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
taking Home Communion to the Nursing and Residential Homes.
2. Baptism - visiting and follow-up of Baptism families.
3. Bereavement - visiting and follow-up of bereaved families. As part of this the Annual
'Memorial and Thanksgiving' Service is usually in October. Numbers fluctuate each year,
from 60 to 150.
Healing on the Streets. – is a mission group initiative with cooperation between a number of local
churches. Members of St Wilfrid’s are involved with other local churches in praying for people on Saturday
mornings, outside Marks & Spencer in Northwich town centre.
Other Church associated groups.
There are several Home Groups:Tuesday a.m.
Bible Study Group at Fountain Court sheltered flats. A highly successful group
aimed at older people.
Tuesday p.m.
Bible Study Group based in Kingsmead – currently led by the Rector.
Wednesday p.m. Bible Study Groups at Leftwich and Davenham led by laity. The Davenham group
has a strong prayer focus and undertakes prayer walks and prayer card initiative.
‘Ignite’ - is the Sunday night youth group for young people of high school age, which meets in the
Hayhurst Room on church street, and is run by volunteers from the church.
It covers all aspects of Christian life particularly relevant
to teenagers, and also organises additional social,
outreach, and charitable events, such as the ‘Ignite
Olympics games and BBQ’ in 2012 and a charitable
‘Water Aid’ car wash on the church hall car park in 2013.
This is a very exciting development in the life of the
church, which includes not only weekly meetings, but
also visits to other age appropriate Christian events in
the area.
Youth leaders from St Wilfrid’s, together with others
from local churches, have also since October 2012, been instrumental in establishing a regular jointchurches youth event called Youth United Northwich.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
12 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
Cherubs – was started 14 years ago and is a monthly outreach group for pre-school children
and their parents/carers held in the church on the 1st Wednesday of each month with the aim
to introduce parents and children to the church environment and the Christian faith in a fun
and relaxed manner. The sessions are run by volunteers from the church family and comprise a
Bible story, prayers, crafts, music and refreshments.
Church services and worship
The Pattern of Regular Services is as follows:09:00.
10:30.
2nd and 4th Sundays - Holy Communion (spoken).
1st and 3rd Sundays - Holy Communion
2nd Sunday - Morning worship and Baptism
4th Sunday - All Age Service
5th Sunday - Special worship
During the 10.30 service the young people are catered for by Junior / Youth Church on the
first three Sundays. 'Scramblers' for the 3-5 year olds runs every Sunday during school term
time, and there is a Crèche area for parent supervision of the very young.
Other Services
As an alternative to Halloween the church holds a ‘Light Party’ for younger children on the
31st October annually to contrast strongly with the usual secular message of the season.
On Good Friday there is a special ‘Easter Garden’ service for younger children and their
families. In addition a number of other special services are held and well attended: the
Memorial service – for bereaved families, the Crib service for younger children on Christmas Eve,
and the Christingle and Carol services.
Currently, the Rector is normally robed for most services. Services are usually run by means of
‘service sheets’ (incorporating a notices section). These are produced in conjunction with the
parish Secretary. At Communion, baptism and funeral services re-usable inserts are used.
Recently we have been using a 2-part family service for Baptisms. After the first part there is a
coffee break, which allows for the arrival of the baptism party(s) and the departure of those in
the congregation who need to leave.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
13 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
Music
St Wilfrid’s has a newly formed Choir (2011) which, although still a work in progress, is
producing good quality traditional accompaniment to the 10:30 communion services. It
usually meets every Wednesday for an hour to practice.
In addition there is a church band with singers (some of which also sing in the choir) that lead
worship for a number of services in the month providing a more contemporary style of music
than the choir with Guitar, Bass, and Drums. This group usually meets for practice also on a
Wednesday night just after the choir rehearsal.
Both the band and the Choir are manned by members of the congregation, with much youth
involvement in the band; with occasional support from singers and musicians from the local
area or other churches.
The current pattern for music in the 10:30 services is:
1st and 3rd Sundays – Choir
2nd Sundays either the Band or Organ/Piano only
4th and 5th Sundays - Band
The organ may also be used on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays as appropriate.
The band and the choir work and support each other:



The organist plays with the band
The Band leader sometimes plays the organ
Choir members act as lead singers
With Piano/Bass and Drums being played on appropriate Sundays as required.
The Church as a venue
The Church has been used as a concert venue, with not only for School services, but also for multischool concerts. It has also been used for Classical choirs, Brass ensembles, and Christian folk singers.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
14 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
Strengths and Weaknesses
Our strengths:






Strong ministry providing in-depth teaching of the Bible.
Friendliness with a welcoming heart; attracting young families
An ever changing congregation with a spread of ages but with a high proportion
of mature Christians.
Truly ‘the local parish church’ whose membership is substantially from within the parish.
The 10.30am service, for its variety, and its parallel provision for young children.
A demonstrably outstanding Church of England Primary school in the parish, with close ties to
the Church.
Our weaknesses:






Need for a unified vision to effectively deliver the church mission statement.
Need for corporate prayer.
Need for effective communications within and outside the church.
Need for additional staff.
Need for joined up worship for all ages.
Need to encourage giving and to encourage the congregation to ‘get involved’.
Our Priorities:





Sunday worship to be honouring to God, edifying to those present with a real
sense that ‘God is here’.
To encourage and enable all members to pray, such that we become 'a praying
church'.
To unify the congregation.
To encourage the ‘music makers’, children and youth expression within varied
forms of worship.
To re-assess our ministry and our vision for the church hall and other church
facilities.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
15 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
The skills and qualities of the new incumbent
St Wilfrid’s Davenham, has by tradition been an evangelical church. We believe that worship
should be predominantly bible based. We incorporate contemporary forms of service and
music alongside a more traditional approach to the liturgy.
Part of the ‘welcoming’ aspect of the church is that we are more concerned with attendance
from families with children; as opposed to ensuring children are silent throughout the service.
The Parish of Davenham (St Wilfrid’s), Leftwich, Kingsmead and Gadbrook is large,
representing a considerable amount of work for the incumbent, requiring sustained energy
and drive. Unfortunately, the parish does not currently have a curate. The case for additional
assistance would be raised again with the Bishop as a matter of urgency, upon appointment.
Based on our strengths, weaknesses and priorities, we believe that the next incumbent for the
Parish should be:
A strong servant leader
with an ability to lead and mentor the staff team, the discernment to identify and encourage
the gifts and callings of the congregation, and the ability to make difficult decisions and
delegate effectively
A Bible based teacher
who is a person of God, mature in faith and truth, trusting in the grace of Jesus Christ, led by
the Spirit in prayer and love, and able to apply the scriptures to contemporary life - with
challenge.
Inclusive in attitude
who will ‘Love their congregation’, and the wider community, such that all ages and walks of
life are represented in fellowship and ministered to within the Church, work as a team player
and collaborate in shared ministry, value the work among children, youth and students and
cares for individuals pastorally.
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
16 / 17
Middlewich Deanery
Committed to outreach
actively involved in the life and work of Davenham Church of England Primary school and
other schools in the area, will seek to re-kindle a Parish focus within Leftwich, and nurture
Christianity in Kingsmead and Gadbrook, will look to grow the Church through interaction with
groups such as Baptism families, the Uniformed Groups and concert attendees.
An advocate of expression
Prayerful and able to help others grow in prayer, and demonstrate strong support for music
and children and youth expression within varied forms of worship.
Visionary
Able to identify, unlock and encourage the skills and potential within every individual of the
congregation and focus them on the delivery of St Wilfrid’s mission, being a strong
communicator, and who will seek God's vision for the parish. To be an agent of change to
cause us to look at what we are doing and cause us to do something else to better meet the
aims of God and the Church.
Signed on behalf of the PCC:
Church Warden
31st October 2013
St Wilfrid’s Davenham
17 / 17
Middlewich Deanery