THE Bishop of Liverpool visited Marks and Spencer in Westbrook to lead a service where Rev Jeremy Tear was made the pioneer team rector for the Church of England in west Warrington. 

The unusual venue was chosen to open up the service to more people in the community and other members of four existing churches – St James’ and St Mary’s in Great Sankey, St Paul’s in Penketh and St Philip’s in Westbrook. 

Bishop Paul Bayes said: “It was a great pleasure to celebrate Jeremy’s new role with the team, and especially to do so in a service held in Marks and Spencer’s cafe in the Gemini Retail Park. 

“It was clear how much Jeremy is valued and respected by all in the team and in the wider church and community. 

“I wish him well in his new role as pioneer team rector, and I am confident that under his leadership the whole team will move forward together, building a bigger church and making a bigger difference in west Warrington.

“Holding the service here in Marks and Spencer at Gemini seemed a very apt way of expressing the pioneering nature of our team which is about taking our faith out to where people are rather than waiting for them to come to our churches.”