Index: (click on a topic
to find out more) Read our Millennium
Prayer Visit
our Pictorial History of
Walney,
or read about the Vickerstown Estates |
Welcome to the churches
of Walney Island ecumenical web-site. Walney Island is 11
miles long and a mile wide and is situated just off the
Cumbrian coast at Barrow-in-Furness (see map). It has a
population of approximately 13,000. Traditionally most of
the parishioners have earned their living working for
‘Vickers’ shipbuilders (currently a part of Operations
Marine within BAE
Systems, but previously
operating as VSEL). However, the last 10 years has seen a cut in
the workforce by 10,000, which obviously has had a
dramatic social impact. Walney has three Christian denominations working closely together, Roman Catholics, Methodists and Anglicans. Sadly for the partnership, Walney Baptist Fellowship has closed down, and the members now worship in Barrow and with the other Walney Churches. We are lucky to have such good ecumenical relationships. Perhaps the fact that we are on an island helps to make this possible. It is probably fair to say that the project could not have worked without strong cross-denominational friendships between lay people. Each of the three different churches celebrates what is distinctive about its particular tradition, while enjoying a close working relationship with the other traditions. If you are part of a similar scheme, or have any comments or suggestions please contact us or leave a message in the guest book.
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