About Us
Established in 1753 in "The Cockpit" in the Centre of Bradord on Westgate we moved to our current premises in 1900 to a Church that was built to accomodate 700 people and with a large Sunday School building attached..
Manningham was then a very fashionable area of Bradford and has changed substantially over the years and is now in Inner City Bradford on the Bradford Ring Road.
We are a mixed congregation of mainly people of English and West Indian origin and largely of an older age group. We are however young at heart.
We are currently in an Interregnum and are actively seeking a new Minister. Talks are at an early stage with a potential candidate.
Our Church Profile is appended.
Our Moderator is Rev Stan Kirby.
We are linked with St Paul's (Anglican) and Trinity (Methodists) in our immediate area (The Manningham Cluster Group)and also have strong links with other local Baptist Churches (Challenge Bradford).More details of the Manningham Cluster and Challenge Bradford are attached.
Background
The Church has a history dating back to its formation in 1753 in the “Cockpit” in the centre of
Manningham has always been a key centre for the large migrant population of the city – initially it was the Irish who settled here, followed by the West Indians in the early 1960s. As each group became established and more prosperous, they moved to the outskirts being replaced by a large influx from the Asian sub-continent, mainly from
As a consequence of this constantly changing population, unemployment is high and many young people have never functioned within a work situation. However, family networks remain strong with large, extended family units living in sizeable properties.
Church Members and Friends.
Current membership is forty-two with thirty-five Church friends. Our average Sunday congregation is around fifty in number. The entire fellowship is listed in groups with a Deacon or Church Visitor being initially responsible for Pastoral care. There is a gender split of approximately 60/40 female to male.
The fellowship is made up of indigenous white and West Indians, Sunday morning congregations often demonstrating a mix of two to one West Indian to white population. Like most Churches, the fellowship is on the elderly side (but young at heart!) and we are keen to attract younger people. The membership is almost entirely aged sixty plus, and the sixties age group remain the most active within many spheres of the church’s life. A small number live in the immediate vicinity and a significant number are within a three mile radius of the church. Some do travel from the other side of the city, wishing to retain their strong links with the fellowship here rather than worshipping at a neighbourhood church.
There are eight children/young people regularly attending, their ages ranging from five to fourteen. They are an enthusiastic group who want to be recognised within the fellowship and who are willing to contribute to worship and to share their ideas. It is vital that this interest is sustained and they are made to feel valued. We operate a “Safe to Grow” policy.
The current Diaconate of only four reflects the mix of the membership there being one West Indian and an Indian Deacon. A Deacons election is planned for this November when it is hoped to increase the number of serving Deacons by at least two. It is seen as essential that this core group be strengthened in view of the significant changes with which the church has to cope in the days ahead.
Church Activities
We meet each Sunday morning for worship at
The young people attend the first part of the service and this often includes a short talk and hymn/song aimed at engaging them fully in worship. They then leave to explore their own activities under the leadership of several members of the congregation. They often return for the Communion part of the service and may be included in a time of blessing whilst the elements are being served to the rest of the congregation.
Sunday morning worship is best described as traditional although we are open to innovative methods of worship and appreciate the many differing styles of worship leadership which we have enjoyed during the interregnum. Music is led by an electronic piano, the large pipe organ no longer being used. Range of hymn books is limited (Baptist Praise and Worship, Praise for Today, Mission Praise 1) and there is a need for good quality overhead projection facilities.
Two House Groups are currently meeting together as one Bible Study Group on Wednesday evenings; this is led by one of the Deacons. The Alpha course was run successfully but this is several years ago; the ‘Jesus’ video/DVD has been available this year for members and friends to borrow.
Members of the community are reached via a weekly Luncheon Club; the annual Senior Citizens’ Service and tea; the ‘Holiday at Home’ week held each July; plus meals and coffee mornings throughout the year. There is scope for far greater community engagement though personnel to actively take part can be limited by the age of many members.
Contacts
We are members of the Baptist Union and the Yorkshire Baptist Association, having worked closely with the Association ministers in trying to ascertain our future path as a church. This process has been ongoing over a number of years and decisions have been slow to formulate.
We are part of a group of local Baptist churches, formerly known as the Central Bradford Baptist Fellowship. This group is currently undergoing significant review and change in order to meet the differing needs of the individual churches. A former strength of the fellowship was the close cooperation between the ministerial team, something which has become dissipated with changing personnel. At present, this is one area being significantly addressed and strengthened in order to offer ongoing support to fellow ministers and so to the individual churches. At present, the group is benefiting from the insights of an American family living in
We also work closely with other Churches in Manningham and the surrounding area on an ecumenical basis. These fellow churches are facing many of the same challenges as ourselves and the formation of key partnerships with other denominations will be critical to the future Christian witness in this strongly Muslim part of the city. We especially liase with the local Anglican fellowship who meet less than quarter of a mile away – they do not have their own Vicar in charge, sharing the services of the Vicar of Manningham (an Indian Christian) and are having to consider serious issues over their own future leadership. We share much in common and significant conversations will need to take place in the not too distant future.
Several members of our fellowship are involved with “Sharakat” (Communion) which are regular meetings of local multifaith people to discuss matters relating to our area. This initiative was begun by the Vicar of Manningham in conjunction with senior representatives of the Muslim faith in recognition of the common aims which we all share as believers in and members of this community.
Our Building
Our current premises are large and, whilst representing all that was good in late nineteenth century building and design, do not lend themselves easily to present day use. The multi-purpose area is large and with flexible seating, so doubling as a hall for any large scale event. There are three other smaller meeting rooms, a kitchen, office, vestry and storage rooms. An adjacent car park and garden space, plus a house attached completes the significant site, prominently placed on the inner ring road.
The building is very large and well built but showing many signs of age. Major decisions need to be taken in the near future as to whether to refurbish the existing premises or to demolish and rebuild a purpose built sanctuary in partnership with other organisations, whether these be other churches or as a more commercial development. In spite of its age and stature, the building is not listed which does leave every avenue open for exploration.
The buildings are currently used by two other Christian fellowships; Powerhouse International, a black led Pentecostal Group who hire the premises six days a week; and Hall Green Baptist Church from Haworth. Hall Green are a
Finance
In spite of the average age of the congregation, sacrificial giving has been sustained over the years and the average weekly offering is £430. Many members also Gift Aid which contributes significantly to the church finances. In addition, we regularly support Home Mission; BMS; Christian Aid; Jars of Grace; Operation Agri; the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf in
Over the past few years the Church has used reserves to help fund a full time Minister in partnership with Tetley Street Baptist. This partnership has now come to an end in view of their very small numbers and a different arrangement for pastoral oversight. Initial discussion of a Home Mission Fund application was seen as inappropriate but, with increased costs, a small reduction in offerings and the wish to be able to make a firm commitment to future ministry for at least five years, this decision was reconsidered and we intend to apply for funding in the next round of applications.
The sale of the Manse was agreed in January this year and a sale completed on 1st October. The money from this is now invested with the YBA and earmarked solely for purchase of another Manse or to assist with housing for a future minister. There is no intention that the funds be used in any other way.
The Future
The Membership and Friends are fully committed to continue as a worshipping and witnessing fellowship of God’s people in Manningham. At a special Church Meeting in April this year the following draft
To be present in the heart of Manningham
Where we seek to celebrate and praise God
Sharing His love given through Jesus Christ
To enable all people to worship and witness
Whilst growing in the faith we profess
A