St Stephen On-The-Cliffs 2007
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Look through this page and then click on the navigation bar above for links to twelve different pages of information about St Stephen On-The-Cliffs. They give you access to information ranging from the History of the church to forthcoming Events.
St Stephen on-the-cliffs
We look forward one day to greeting you in person at St Stephen’s but in the meanwhile, have a browse through our website. A full list of the days and times of Services, Festivals, Saints Days and Daily Intentions can be found by clicking on the Services Page.
We welcome everyone, irrespective of faith or belief, as one of God’s children and invite all who are full members of other Christian denominations to receive communion at Mass. Anyone who attends a service is invited to come to the altar at the time of communion to receive a blessing.
We have a rich tradition of Anglo-Catholic worship and music. St Stephen’s is a Forward-in-Faith parish and we maintain and bear witness to traditional Catholic liturgy, preaching and teaching as the Church of England has received it.
Our elegant 20th Century red-brick built church has a truly beautiful red sandstone interior with many striking features and splendid stained glass. Click on the Photographs page to view some of the highlights. Our History page will give you an insight into how St Stephen has grown over the years.
St Stephen’s is home to a church family who come together throughout the week to worship God and serve Him in our local community. Our church family stretches beyond the boundaries of our parish in North Shore, Blackpool. A number of us travel from other parts of Blackpool and the Fylde to be part of our worship, outreach and social life. Click on our Organisations and Events pages to find out more.
St Stephen’s is a church that welcomes visitors and new members of the congregation alike. You may wish to become fully involved in the life of our church community. You may wish just to spend time on your own in quiet prayer and reflection.
In recent years much has been done to both improve the building, accessibility and facilities. These include the Narthex (our splendid new entrance area) which provides a friendly and informal meeting place, a Baptistery, a new lighting system and sound system with an induction loop for the hard of hearing.
If you are curious about our church building, our style of worship, our life as a parish community or have the need to speak with our priest then please, just ask. Alternatively, if you are unable for the present to visit us then either click on our Information page or Contact Us.
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| High Altar—Flower Festival 2002 |
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| The actors chapel contains a picture that is said to contain images of actors that visited Blackpool’s music halls. |
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| The Actors Chapel |
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| The Baptistery |
ORGAN
Philip Berry took up the position of Organist and Choirmaster at S. Stephen's in February 2005. He came to us with a wealth of experience and success as an organist, choirmaster and teacher. He has won numerous prizes for playing the organ and has performed in public since the age of 11.
After studying the organ at Walkden Parish Church for two and a half years, he was offered the position of Organist at St. Saviour's Church, Ringley at the age of sixteen. He remained in this post for 34 years.
Philip has played at a many churches and cathedrals all over England including Bolton Parish church and the great cathedrals of Blackburn, Manchester and Norwich. In 1998, he was invited to play the great organ of York Minster. A year later he played at the Joseph Holt 150th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Northern College of Music. The concert had an audience of 2000 and raised over £25,000 for the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute. In 2000 Philip played for the Mothers' Union Festival at The Bridgewater Hall and June 2004 found him playing the magnificent Willis organ in Lincoln Cathedral.
He is a full time teacher of the organ, piano and keyboard, tutoring and preparing pupils for both London College of Music and Associated Board theory and practical examinations. His success as a teacher is reflected in the excellent achievements of his pupils.
The Organ is a three manual instrument built in 1881 by Father Henry Willis. It was built for the Parish Church of Saint Philip, Blackburn, being a gift of the late Adam and Amy Agnes Dugdale. In December 1974 the organ was moved to St. Stephen On-The-Cliffs. The organ case is finished in light oak on which appear two coats of arms—on the left side of the case are those of the Vicar's Oxford College, Brasenose, and right, those of the Dugdale family.
Where the organ originally stood, the swell box rested on top of the choir organ with the great organ in front. This rebuild involved splitting the organ so that the great organ now stands on the left and the swell and choir organs are on' the right. The pedal ophicleide was placed high up above the great organ together with the violoncello and bourdon which stand on the same chest. The pedal violone which forms the left end of the case speaks into the south aisle of the church, and its bottom six notes form the two towers on the front of the case. The remainder of the display pipes belong to great number one diapason, and these are of finest spotted metal.
The Barker Lever action has been retained by electrifying the primary pneumatic motors. The stop action has been converted to electropneumatic. A new spotted metal larigot was added in place of the lieblich bourdon which on the pedal makes a suitably quiet sixteen foot stop.
The organ was dedicated on September 7th, 1975, by the Bishop of Lancaster, and on October 9th, Dr. Francis Jackson, Organist of York Minster gave the Inaugural Recital.
