Christians have worshipped
God in Ashton-on-Mersey for hundreds of years. A settlement is mentioned
in the Domesday Book and there are also indications of a Saxon Chapel. In
1304 the parish of St.Martin's was founded.
Towards the end of the 19th Century
there was a growing realisation of the need of a second church to serve
Ashton on Mersey. The decision to build St.Mary Magdalene was bold an
courageous step. It was even more remarkable since there was a heavy
financial burden of rebuilding and equipping the schools in the village
at the same time. On top of that the population had not yet arrived!
There is evidence that the fields around the church were use for growing
rhubarb. St.Mary's was originally know as 'The Church in the fields'.
Our predecessors were building for the future.
Ashton on Mersey and Sale were about to
witness a huge population growth served by the Bridgewater Canal, the
Roman Road (Washway Road A6) and Flora the first engine on the
Altrincham to Manchester line (now the Metro line).
Since St.Mary's was founded in 1874, the
church has never stood still; the ministry and worship have been
constantly enhanced and extended. The vision, 'To be a growing church'
is in our spiritual DNA.
The churches impact on the community has
been obvious through the work of the church schools; All Saints Mission
Hall in Somerset Place; a Nursing Home in St.Mary's Road (which later
moved to Sandiway Road) and local almshouses. Over the years, the also church employed a
community nurse and other full time staff to serve the locality
In 1968 the Church Hall was built and was
of huge benefit to church and community.
The Sale West estate was built as the
population was moving out of central Manchester. Local churches
supported the growth of the new church family, Sale West Community
Church. St.Mary's supported SWCC by providing a full time worker.
More recently the building of a new
Church Centre has proved to the catalyst for growth in the life of the
church. Many community groups use the buildings and we have used the
much improve buildings to invite people to join our activities and
worship.
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