Church Exterior The Berry Window	Services 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. Morning Service (Holy Communion 4th Sunday) 6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
Vicar: Revd Sue Williams Tel: 01995 61252 Church History

PAST There has been a church in Chipping since at least 1230, when our first known Rector, Robert of Chepindale, was recorded in a document of Lancaster Priory. There are claims that the church was built before Clitheroe Castle, which was built in 1186. The piscina in the sanctuary wall dates from the 1230's.

The Domesday Book does not mention a church in Chipping in 1086, but it is possible that there was a church in Saxon times. The ancient stone displayed in the Memorial Chapel may be an old Saxon font or plague stone. The height of the graveyard above the road level indicates that burials have taken place for at least a 1000 years.

The tower was added ca. 1450 and is unchanged. The remainder of the mediaeval church was rebuilt in 1506. The rebuilding of 1873 retained much of the old materials and the design of 1506, except for the raising of the sunken chancel. Clearly villagers have worshiped here for many centuries.

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PRESENT The late 19th century brought many of the features we see in today's building: the lectern and stained glass windows in 1873, the 'father' Willis organ in 1876, the baptismal window in 1879.

The fine East window in the 'Wolfhouse Quire' (now the memorial chapel) was given in 1967, in memory of John Berry, chair maker. The chairs in the sanctuary were made locally in the Lancashire spindle-back design.

The reredos at the East end is a memorial to the members of the church killed in the First World War, with further names added from 1939-45.

The association of church and Chipping Brabin's Endowed School, established when John Brabin founded the school in 1684 continues.

FUTURE The church is both a physical expression and living congregation, and that was acknowledged in 1996, when the 'Three Churches of Chipping' celebrated 1400 years of Christianity in this place, with various events and the presentation to each congregation of identical wooden crosses in the Celtic form. Services involving all three congregations are held annually, and a joint programme was undertaken to celebrate the Millennium.

The maintenance of the church building continues with a Church Kneeler project and discussions for making it more accessible to the wider community. There is a special ministry to the many visitors who come in daily for quiet and reflection as they seek, with us, to draw near to God. Our stated mission 'is to so express the Word of God that people of all ages and interests feel a part of the living Christian community. Chipping is blessed with a particular historical inheritance which we shall build upon in our generation and pass on to those who follow'.

Therefore:

For all that is past - Thank You!

To all that lies ahead - Yes!