Who we are

Our Parish

Photo: Mike Kuhl 
Whitegate is a small village in Cheshire located between the towns of Northwich and Winsford, with easy links to motorways and mainline railways.

The ecclesiastical parish includes parts of Winsford, Hartford and Sandiway and has a population of 3281.

There is a mixed population of retired, middle-aged and young families which include professional, executive, manual and unemployed people. Whitegate has approximately 95% owner-occupied properties with approximately 5% being rented either from the local authority or privately. The parish also contains 4 residential caravan parks.

Whitegate Church of England Aided Primary School lies next to the church, at the heart of our community.

The WI has a strong group which meets regularly in the Recreation Room.

The Petty Pool Trust is an outdoor centre and college for young people with learning disabilities and is situated in the Parish.

The main hospital for parishioners is Leighton Hospital, Crewe which is approximately twelve miles away.

The nearest Care Homes are at Sandiway and Winsford both reasonably close by. The main Community Centre is Whitegate Recreation Room, although St Mary’s has its own building ‘The Mews’ which is hired for parties, meetings etc.

A daily pre-school is held in the Recreation Room.

Vale Royal Golf Club is close to the village centre. St Mary’s has strong links for parish and choir events.

We also have strong links with our local Pub/Restaurant, The Plough Inn, where we hold a very popular pastoral event “Hub in the Pub” in January each year.

The main industry is agriculture which continues to go through change.

A large proportion of the parish population commutes to outside the parish for work.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine is in the parish. Having a high degree of mechanisation the plant now employs fewer people than in previous years.

What we do

  • 1.
    Our Church

    Vision
    To draw people to Jesus Christ by nurture, prayer and care

    Mission
    To nurture growth using the gifts God has given us and through Jesus Christ to draw others into faith by prayer, education and commitment to a caring way of life.

  • 2.
    Ministry Team and Lay Participation

    This includes:

    • Two part time curates
    • Children's Worker (Part time)
    • Organist & Choirmaster
    • Four Part Choir
    • Chalice Assistants
    • Sacristans
    • Two Churchwardens
    • A team of people reading lessons and leading prayers
    • A team of sidespeople
  • 3.
    Church Services and Worship

    Whilst St Mary’s seeks to welcome people of all traditions we follow what is essentially a Liberal Catholic tradition in our worship. We recognise that it must remain accessible to a mixed rural/village/suburban population. Vestments are worn and holy oils used at baptism services.


    Music plays an important part in our worship, with a choir which gives a strong lead in our services.



What people say about us

When Derek and I came to live in mid Cheshire twelve years ago. We looked for a place to worship. On visiting various churches in and around the area we decided that St.Mary's was where we would make our spiritual home. We were made most welcome at the morning and evening services. Since attending I have joined the Crafty Coffee group, Mothers' Union and choir. We are both on the Pastoral Care team. We have met many kind people who we can now call our friends.

Eileen Lees

St Mary's Church, Whitegate, is located in the village of Whitegate, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Middlewich. Its benefice is combined with that of St Peter, Little Budworth. The church is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building. The authors of the Buildings of England series state that the "church is placed so happily against trees on a hillside that it makes the perfect, comforting picture of the Victorian village church". Read more.

Wikipedia

I grew up in Whitegate and have attended this parish church all my life. It is a beautiful building, in a stunning location, but what keeps me here, even though I now live in a neighbouring parish, is the kind and friendly people who attend the church. Many faces have, of course, changed over the years, but there has always been a sense of welcome, belonging and team spirit in the congregation. A strong support network of friends I know I could turn to in the most troubling of times.

Suzanne Cash