Back in the summer of 1985, the Bishop of Blackburn made an historic visit to Ballam. His mission: to deliver the licence necessary to officially give our church the name of St Matthew.
We believe that such a milestone is well worth marking, so we have planned a double celebration for later this month.
Our Sunday Service on August 17th (11am) will be themed to recognise the ‘40th’ and two days earlier – on Friday August 15th – we will stage a special concert featuring keyboard/vocalist Johnny B (7.30pm).
We sincerely hope that many people from across the benefice will turn out in support. Everyone is welcome – as always.
It is particularly poignant that some of the expected attendees were present not only for the Bishop’s visit in 1985 but also have strong family links going way, way back.
For there is so much more to St Matthew’s than just the last 40 years.
Indeed, our proud history shows that the church building in which the two aforementioned event will take place, actually dates back to 1881.
It was gifted by Lady Eleanor Clifton as a school for the children of the Ballam area and the opening school register showed an intake of 74 pupils.
The school – also in use as a mission church – remained an integral part of the local community for close on a century before closing in the mid 1970s.
However, an extraordinary meeting unanimously decided to retain the building as a church and it became a dedicated place of worship.
The name St Matthew, directly connected to the founding fathers of the village, was assigned in that special service in June 1985; no other building in the deanery had taken the name of St Matthew.
• Our photo shows the official party at the consecration service back in 1985, left to right: Arthur Laycock, Rex Williams, Miss Hargreaves, the Bishop of Blackburn, Rev. Robert Wells, Eleanor Kirkham, Chester Gardner and John Kirkham.
• Tickets for Johnny B concert on Friday August 15th (7.30pm) are priced at £10 (including refreshments) and can be booked by ringing 0780 242 9375 or 0797 331 3332.