A new rural church, set up for people living around Keswick and Cockermouth, is celebrating its growth.
Created as part of a £6.8 million investment in mission in the county, St Aidan’s Cumbria serves people along the A66 corridor.
It is part of The Cumbrian Way project to grow younger people to the Church of England.
Called a church plant, it aims to begin a new Christian presence in a community.
It is working closely alongside existing churches in the Derwent Deanery and meets each Sunday afternoon at Bridekirk Church, where a new worshipping community – The 3PM – has been formed.
The Rev John Freeman, vicar of St Aidan’s Cumbria, came to the county in summer 2023, tasked with building the church plant.
He said: “There are probably now over 40 people who call St Aidan’s their home church.
“The vast majority of these people were not going to church before. We’ve grown because people have told their friends about us and said they would enjoy it if they came along.
“Our heart is to gather and scatter; gather for worship in our church and then scatter to be a Christian presence in our schools, homes and workplaces. Everything we do is built around a focus to grow mission and grow younger.
“We are really excited to partner with other churches too.”
The church plant has a particular focus on growing a younger congregation, with more than half of the regular congregation under 18.
Steve Weston, Kids, Youth and Families Pastor at St Aidan’s Cumbria, joined the team in 2024 and also supports other local churches.
He said: “One of the most exciting things we’ve heard about is those children who have listened to God’s voice and who are now encouraging their parents. It’s a joy to see children involved in our mission. They are badgering their parents to come along; that’s really exciting.
“I’ve also had the joy of attending lots of school assemblies, collective worship and RE lessons all across the Deanery to support other clergy. There’s wonderful teamwork.”
St Aidan’s Cumbria covers three mission communities – groups of mutually supportive churches with mission at their heart – and is also supported by the Diocese of Carlisle’s international partner, the Norwegian Mission Society, who help fund Steve’s role. The church plant has also received the county’s first Bishop’s Mission Order, an endorsement and authorisation of its mission initiative.
The rural church plant is one of a number to be created across the county as part of The Cumbrian Way initiative, with other new worshipping communities being established in Barrow and Carlisle.
Rachel Head, director of mission and ministry, support and innovation and who co-led work to successfully apply for The Cumbrian Way funding, said: “It is wonderful to see how the St Aidan’s Cumbria team and members of the worshipping community are using their gifts and skills to create a new Christian presence.”
