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The Magdalene Centre, in Broadbottom
History:
In the late 1870s, Colonel William Sidebottom, supported by key local landowners and worthies, including the Hirsts of Broad Mill and Edward Chapman, gave money and land for a church in Broadbottom, and St. Mary Magdalene was built in 1890. Seventeen years later in June 1907, an organ was installed, dedicated to the memory of Edward Chapman who had contributed so much to the church and school.
Four years of planning and fundraising:
In 2008, we started planning to redevelop the building as ‘The Magdalene Centre’, our new Parish Hall and Worship Space. We look forward to using the hall for youth work, modern worship services and concerts, whilst making the facilities available also for community groups and private hire. In 2009, the project was given a real impetus by Tameside Council when, funded by a Government grant, they renovated the back third of the building as a Sure Start Children’s Centre. This work, which included toilets kitchen space and disabled access, really laid the foundations for a new phase in the mission of the church in that part of the parish. We then started raising funds through personal donations and grants, including Tameside Council, and the Church and Community Fund, and were able to proceed with the next phase of our plans in July 2011.
The Children’s Centre is up and running, and we have now finished converting the rest of the building – with renewed flooring, heating and lighting in the main hall, to make it into a useful concert, function and worship space. Now this work is finished, the whole building is available for hire. Click here to enquire.
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