A new era for The Church of England in Lancashire began with the opening Civic Service for the new ‘Preston Resourcing Parish’ at Preston Minster.
The resourcing parish consists of the congregations of the Minster and St George's in the city centre who joined together with other invited guests at the new-look Minster building to mark the occasion. At the Civic Service Rev Sam Haigh, the new Vicar of Preston (and the man in overall charge of the resourcing parish) and Father David Craven, Assistant Priest based at St George's were joined by Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Julian Henderson, the Bishop of Blackburn and Rt Rev Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley and the Dean of Blackburn, The Very Rev Peter Howell-Jones. The Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, The Rt Hon Lord Shuttleworth, led civic dignitaries who also included the Mayor of Preston, Cllr David Borrow; County Cllr Paul Rigby Chairman of Lancashire County Council and High Sheriff of Lancashire, Ralph Assheton.
Lord Shuttleworth said: 'This building is now a happy combination of old and new. I am here today because I want to do anything I can to encourage the work of this new Parish. The Church has much to offer our communities and we need to grow congregations.
