Learn more about the history and current times at Christ Church
Christ Church Aughton is a parish church with an evangelical ministry set in the south part of the ancient market town of Ormskirk, 14 miles north of Liverpool on the West Lancashire plain. An Anglican church, we belong to the Diocese of Liverpool and the deanery of Ormskirk.
Read about our history dating back to 1867 when the church was founded, and about those in Aughton who lost their lives in the first and second World Wars.
Our focus is to serve our community, accepting people as they are, and sharing the good news of Jesus.
Our 2023 Bible Motto verse:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The PCC Report 2022 is a wonderful way to read and learn about the life of Christ Church Aughton and a testimony to God’s grace as we have so much to celebrate.
Click here to view.
You can also read about our plans to reorder the inside of our church. We have a wonderful church building that is now over 150 years old and while we gratefully appreciate the beauty of the historic building, we are aware there are some aspects of it which make it less than ideal for ministry in the 21st Century. Click here to open a comprehensive overview, including the plan drawings.
Consultation with the congregation and local parish community is now complete.
Fit for Mission aims to support every deanery in the Diocese of Liverpool to create their own future.
For many years the Church of England has been declining, smaller congregations, buildings not fit for purpose and less giving. Every Diocese has been asked to address this problem and Liverpool have decided on Fit for Mission. Fit for Mission is built around four basic mission priorities.
Whilst we recognise that here at Christ Church we have been doing these four mission priorities over a number of years, we also understand that sadly other churches in our Diocese and Deanery are not in the same position. Therefore as a PCC we have been asked to engage in a discernment process to decide if FFM is something Christ Church can support. The Diocese have produced a 64 page scoping document outlining the plans and answering around 120 questions that have already been asked by various deaneries and PCCS, including our own.
The 64 page scoping document is accessible on the Liverpool Diocese website. Click here to view.
Christ Church Reader, Jonathan Lock, has neatly summarised the scoping document on a one-page PDF. Click here to view
In addition to reading these documents, all church members are encouraged to pray. We know that when we pray it makes a difference and we would want to pray that God helps us discern a way forward for our church, community and deanery.
In The Domesday Book, the great land survey from 1086, Aughton (or Acheton as it was called then) means the Oak Homestead, suggesting that Aughton was home to many oak trees. In the Bible we read several references to oak trees as a symbol of strength and endurance. This strength does not come from what we can see of it above the surface; rather, its enduring strength comes from the roots that cannot be seen by the naked eye. The root system reaches down to where there are ample supplies of water and nutrients in the soil that feed the tree and provides the anchoring base to allow the tree to withstand all kinds of assault, from wind, rain and earthquakes.
Sometimes the landscape of our lives can change quickly and without warning, and we can be left feeling shaken and unsure of our future. Unless we have deep roots like an oak tree, it can be hard to face challenges and overcome them. Our logo reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we must look to Him to give us the strength of an oak tree, producing many acorns to bear witness to Him, so that others will come to know Him.
I was called to Christ Church Aughton in 2015 and have been enjoying the adventure of leading this wonderful community of people ever since. I am passionate about sharing the Gospel message of hope and love with those in our community and beyond. I love chatting to people and walking alongside them on their journey of faith or doubt. If you see me out and about with my two dogs – Major and Monty – why not stop for a chat?
I grew up in Stockport and studied in Durham, where I met my wife, Rachel. Before I trained for ordination, I was a Children’s Worker for a church in Staffordshire and before that, an archeologist focusing on Israel and Jordan, exploring sites and artefacts from biblical times in particular. Following ordination, I was Vicar of two parishes and Area Dean in South Derbyshire for seven years. Fast forward to 2020, I started a new day job as Lecturer in Old Testament at St. Melitus College North West, and was licensed as Assistant Minister here at Christ Church Aughton. I look forward to seeing you at church, or we may bump into each other in a bookshop, which is also a place I thoroughly enjoy!
I originate from Old Swan and have two grown up children – Ryan and Sian – and a cute dog called Nala. My passion is inclusivity and I believe that we are all loved by God whatever shape or form we may come in. I feel blessed to have been placed at Christ Church Aughton in 2021, as I believe this is where God wants me to be at this time. I enjoy reading, jigsaws and time with family and friends!
My connection to Christ Church Aughton goes back to 1991, when I was Assistant Minister for 7 years. I loved it so much, that through the provision of God’s goodness I returned in 2020. In between, I was a Team Vicar and Team Rector in St Helens, and a Vicar in Crosby. In the community, you will see me walking on Clieves Hill with my black Labrador, exploring God’s wonderful creation. As the COVID restrictions lift, I will continue my exploration of the wider world, and the journey of faith right here at Christ Church.
The PCC consists of clergy and elected church wardens and parishioners. Together they are responsible for the financial affairs of the church parish, the maintenance of its assets such as the church and Ministry Centre, and promoting the mission of the church.
Christ Church is part of the Church of England.
Registered Charity No. 1129036
© Christ Church Aughton 2022. Website brought to life by Masterpiece Creative Design.