The History of St Paul's Church, Stalybridge: Factsheet
Parish Survey 1989
REPORT ON THE PARISH SURVEY 1989
POPULATION
The Parish has about 12,000 residents and there are 218 members on the St Paul’s Electoral Roll (about 2% of the total population). The Electoral Roll, of course includes only people over the age of 16 and there are a number of children under this age who belong to St Paul’s.
THE AREA
The extent of the Parish is large but most of it is under agricultural use. The Parish itself is lined along the two roads, Huddersfield Road and Mottram Road and in the housing areas which lead off them.
The Parish contains no other Churches of any denomination, 3 Infant Schools, 2 Junior Schools and a Comprehensive School. There is also a Community Centre, Sports Centre, Boy’s Club, Scout HQ (which also houses a Playgroup), 3 Nursing Homes, 2 areas of sheltered Accommodation, a Council Old People’s home, and 2 Play areas. There are no Doctors’ surgeries or clinics within the Parish. Most of the shopping is of the Corner Shop variety although most of this is concentrated in the oldest part of the Parish.
POPULATION PATTERNS |
% of St Paul’s Congregation |
% of total population of the parish |
% of total population who attend St Paul’s |
BRUSHES/CRANTOCK |
9.7 |
8.5 |
0.9 |
HUDD’FD RD/STAL’HALL |
17.0 |
5.7 |
3.5 |
COPLEY |
9.7 |
12.6 |
0.9 |
TATTON/ALBION/LIND’Y |
9.7 |
8.5 |
1.34 |
FRENCH ST-MOTT. RD |
19.5 |
8.5 |
2.6 |
STOCKS/OXF’D/HAWKE |
10.9 |
6.5 |
2.12 |
SHAW M’R/FERN BK |
17.0 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
QUARRY MT/ WOODL’D |
2.5 |
17.4 |
0.16 |
MOTT RS/WOODEND |
13.4 |
18.8 |
0.84 |
The Population patterns show that most of the congregation come from the old established areas (the terraced houses, Fern Bank, Staley Hall) with virtually nothing from the newer areas (Mottram Rise, Quarry Mount) or the areas of Council housing. It is these latter areas that contain the bulk of the Parish people. Also most of the Baptisms in the Parish come from the areas where we have fewest of our regular congregation.
POPULATION AGE
25% of the population in the whole of the Parish is under 16 years old, and over 22% are in the “young married/family” age group (30-44 years). There is a much smaller proportion of the population in the older age groups than in Tameside as a whole (31% compared to Tameside’s 37%).
By contrast, the age groups of the people attending St Paul’s is almost a mirror image of the whole Parish population with over 66% of the congregation over retirement age and only 9% in the 20- 40 age group.
REASON FOR JOINING SAINT PAUL’S
The reasons for Joining St Paul’s are in line with this 46% have been members all their lives and another 28% simply moved from similar churches. 6% joined as a result of joining a Parish organisation, 5% because they married someone who came, 4% were invited to come. But no-one has come because of Parish Outreach.
LENGTH OF MEMBERSHIP
In the same way, the length of membership, reflects the older population at St Paul’s -
. over two thirds of the congregation have been members for over 35 years. Only 11% have joined in the last ten years - and that pattern will not replace the existing congregation. .
EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS
In the Parish 50% of the population are employed, 17.8% full time mothers, 8% unemployed and only 19% retired. In strong contrast, only 26% of our congregation are in work, only 1% are full time mothers, 1% unemployed and 52% are retired. We obviously have very limited contact with working people, young mothers (and their families) and the unemployed.
ATTENDANCE AND GIVING TO THE CHURCH
65% of our congregation come to church on a weekly basis -- over a third don’t.
ATTENDANCES at church haven’t altered significantly over the last 10 years - about 120 - 140 on a normal Sunday and about 250 at Festivals (Christmas & Easter).
Our level of giving has increased a little over the last 5 years (from £35 per annum from each member of the Electoral Roll to £49 per year). But this is still less than a pound a week on average - and these calculations are based on aIl the collections being given by Church members whereas significant amounts are given by less frequent attenders.
PARISH ACTIVITIES
Apart from PCC & other committees, most Parish Organisations are for Ladies and cater for retired ladies in particular.
There are only two regular activities for young people - Brownies/Guides and Sunday School. Pathfinders on a Monday is more off than on.
Missing are organisations for boys, for teenagers, and men! women/couples of young married age-groups.
WHAT CONCERNS US AT ST PAUL’S
(Numbers after item indicate the number of people mentioning this subject and are given as a guide to the importance of that subject).
CHRISTIAN FAITH & THE GOSPEL
Knowing Jesus Christ & God. (12)
Being a bible-based Church. (12)
Making sure that God is part of our Church life and worship. (12)
Evangelism/outreach/ growth! getting new People (8).
Especially Young families (11)
and Young people (21).
Young people involved in Church in Youth Group, in all aspect of running the Church.
WORSHIP & SUNDAY LIFE
Worshiping God as a family (7)
with families and children welcome (3).
Morning Sunday School (4)
Fellowship, friendliness and welcoming atmosphere ( 13).
Atmosphere of peace, reverence, and stability (5).
Improve microphones
Old + New services (13)
Old Services (7)
New services (7)
Develop Choir (4)
Vicar to use Pulpit (1)
WIDER CHURCH LIFE
Keep Church going (6).
Youth Group
No cliques, not inward looking
Follow up those who are “missing”
Improve information on what’s going on
Young Wives Group
SOCIAL CONCERN
St Paul’s to be a force for good in the Community.
More with Young People.
QUESTIONS
1. Most significant information to come out of the Assessment/ Questionnaire?
2. If you could wave a wand, which three things would you want to see come about in this parish?
3. What difficulties do you see prevent these things happening (not “opposition” but resources, manpower etc.)?
4. What do we need to achieve our aim?
5. Do you object to anything in the Report?
PROPERTY
Church and Church Yard (5)
Lighting the path to Church.
Church Hall – for young people.
For older people. (5)
School – bigger chairs, better kitchen facility.
FINANCE
Increase our giving.
POINTS ARISING FROM THE DISCUSSIONS OF THE PARISH SURVEY
Question 1. Most significant information to come out of the survey.
1. We are not reaching people.
2. Views expressed are from less than 1% of the Parish
3. We need more young people / young families.
QuestIon 2. It you could wave a wand which three things would you want to see come about in this parish.
1. Church Hall
2. Full Church at both Services
3. Satellite Church / Mission Station at Mottram Rise
4. Carry on the Christian Faith and Gospel
3, Encouragement of young people.
6. More friendly welcome V
7. Curate.
8, Transport (minibus).
9. Emphasis on prayer rather than money.
10. Youngsters and other in choir. Maybe a Junior Choir.
Question 3. What difficulties do you forsee preventing these things from happening.
1. Money
2. Manpower and effort.
3. Difficulties are there to be overcome!
4. Difficulty providing a Church Hall -
- solution: make the back of the balcony into a room
Question 4. What do we need to achieve these aims?
1. Money.
2. Evangelise.
3. Church Hall.
4. Time.
5.Effort.
6. Organizations and people to run them.
7. Faith
8. Press Officer.
Question 5. Do you object to anything in the report?
There were no real objections, though it was thought disconcerting that only 50% of the Electoral Roll returned the questionnaire.
The above information is presented not in any order of priority, but Just as it arose in discussion.