Community News – Churches

There are a number of places of worship in the parish. Butterton has a small community Church St Thomas' whilst one of the oldest churches in the area is St Mary's and All Saints in Whitmore. The local methodist church is situated in Baldwins Gate.

• St Mary's and All Saints Church
• St Thomas'
• Methodist

St Mary's and All Saints Church

Location – St Mary and All Saints church lies some 4 miles southwest of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire opposite The Mainwaring Arms on the north side of the junction of the A53 and Three Mile Lane.

Services – The church is associated with the parishes of Chapel/Hill Chorlton and Maer and there is a rotation of Morning Prayer, Matins and Evensong between the churches. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday morning and also during the week.

History – The church is a Grade II listed building with a history dating from the Conquest. The church was much restored at the turn of the Twentieth century and recently been much repaired, with a new curtain wall, tower and Nave arcade. The peal of bells has recently been increased from three to five and it is hoped to add a sixth bell in the near future. Plan are afoot to improve and upgrade the organ. The church yard recently won an award for best-kept churchyard in the diocese.

Contact Details – For general enquiries please contact the Rector or the Church Wardens.

St Thomas'

STOP PRESS – A problem of dry rot in the roof has lead to the temporary closure of the church. The extent of the problem is in the process of being assessed. Whilst the forced closure prevents worship in the church the enthusiatic congregation continues to meet at the old Acton methodist church.

Location – Approaching Butterton Village from Trentham Road (A5182) the Church Gate is about 750 yards on the right. The tarmac drive is a single track between fields. The Church stands amidst the trees of Church Wood. Car parking is available around the Church.

Services – 10.30 am every Sunday. First and third Sundays – Morning Prayer. Second, fourth and fifth Sundays – Holy Communion.

History – Thomas Swinnerton planned to build a Church and a new Hall in Butterton Park, but died in 1836 before his plans were put into effect. His daughter Dame Mary Pilkington carried out her father's wishes. She commissioned the eminent architect Thomas Hopper to design the Church which was dedicated in January 1845. In February 1940 St Thomas's became united with St Giles, Newcastle under Lyme.

Contact Details – For general enquiries please contact the Rectors or the Church Wardens.

Methodist

Location – When entering the village from the Newcastle direction, on the A53, visitors will find the church is on the left hand side about quarter of a mile beyond the pedestrian traffic lights.

Services – Services are at 9.30 a.m. every Sunday except for the occasional evening service, e.g. Harvest Festival and Carol Service. Holy Communion is part of the morning service once a month. A Coffee Morning, Ladies' Fellowship and Yoga Group all meet on a monthly basis.

History –The Church was built in 1859 as a traditional galleried chapel of the Primitive Methodist Church. In 1968 it was reduced to a single storey and has since undergone a series of improvements to make it an up to date multi-use place of worship, belonging currently to the Newcastle Methodist Circuit.

Contact Details – For general enquiries please contact the Minister or the Steward.