Flowery Field Church
Hyde · Est. 1967
About Our Church

A small congregation, a long story, a wide welcome.

Faithfully serving the people of Hyde, Cheshire and the wider borough of Tameside as a registered charity since 1967.

Our Story

A faithful presence in Hyde for generations

Flowery Field Church takes its name from the historic Flowery Field neighbourhood of Hyde — a place that has been home to families, mills, schools and chapels for well over a century. Our charity, formally registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales on the 19th of April 1967, holds in trust the funds and the spirit of a much older Christian witness in this part of Cheshire.

The roots of our trust funds reach back even further. The historic Church and School Building Fund, established by letters dated 20 February and 19 March 1915, was created for the upkeep of the new hall used for the furtherance of religion — a quiet, practical expression of love for our community that continues to this day.

We are a small congregation, but our story is woven into the wider tapestry of the Free Christian and Unitarian tradition of East Cheshire. Through wars and weddings, harvests and hardships, the doors of this church have remained open. They remain open today.

Hands gently holding a young green leaf, symbolising care, growth and the long history of nurturing this community
Our Faith

What we believe — and how we live it

Our faith is simple, generous and rooted in the Christian tradition. We believe a church is not measured by the size of its congregation but by the warmth of its welcome and the honesty of its love.

An Open Welcome

We welcome people of every age, background, ability and belief. There are no closed doors here. We do not ask you to be anything other than yourself.

A Living Tradition

We honour the rhythms, hymns and Scripture of the Christian Church — not as relics, but as living gifts that still speak to the questions and griefs of modern life.

Freedom of Conscience

We honour each person's freedom to seek truth in their own way. Doubt, questions and quiet wrestling are not enemies of faith — they are part of it.

Community Above All

We believe that a faithful life is lived alongside neighbours: sharing tea, listening, mourning together, celebrating together, and quietly caring for one another.

Practical Goodness

We believe faith is best expressed in small, practical kindnesses — visits to the lonely, hot drinks on cold days, and a steady presence in difficult times.

Faithful Stewardship

We carefully care for the historic building, grounds and trust funds entrusted to us, so that future generations in Hyde will inherit what we have received.

Our People

The trustees and volunteers who hold this church together

Flowery Field Church is led by five trustees and supported by approximately fifty active volunteers. None of our trustees receives any payment, remuneration or benefit from the charity. Every hour given is given freely, in service of this community.

Board of Trustees

Our trustees are responsible for the governance and good administration of the charity:

Phyllis Margaret AbbottChair of Trustees
Carol Ann RedfernTrustee · Appointed 04 August 2011
John HeywoodTrustee · Appointed 04 August 2011
Mr G. AbbottTrustee
David AlldredTrustee

Our Volunteers

Behind every Sunday service, every cup of tea, every well-tended flowerbed and every quiet pastoral visit are around fifty volunteers — the true engine of our church.

They welcome newcomers at the door, lead readings and music, visit the unwell and the bereaved, look after our historic hall, and quietly hold the life of this community together week by week.

If you would like to volunteer with us — whether you have an hour a month or a steady weekly commitment — we would love to hear from you.

Get Involved
At a Glance

Flowery Field Church — the facts

1967

Year our charity was registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (19 April 1967).

215190

Our official charity registration number. You can verify our status on the public Charity Commission register.

5 Trustees

Local people who volunteer their time to govern the charity faithfully and transparently.

50 Volunteers

The hands and hearts who keep this church alive — from greeters to gardeners to bereavement visitors.

Tameside

The borough we serve, with our particular area of benefit being the Flowery Field neighbourhood of Hyde.

Religious & Charitable

Our charitable purposes are religious activities, providing services and other charitable activities for the benefit of the general public.

A library of well-loved books on tall shelves, representing the careful keeping of records, scripture and tradition
Transparent Governance

Faithful, accountable, open

As a registered charity in England and Wales, we are committed to transparent and accountable governance. Our trustees file annual returns and accounts with the Charity Commission every year, on time, without exception.

Our charitable purposes are simple: the advancement of religion and other charitable activities for the benefit of the general public, with our particular area of benefit being Flowery Field, Hyde. We hold two linked charitable funds — the historic Church and School Building Fund and the general Working Funds — both faithfully applied to the upkeep of our church and its mission.

You can view our complete public record, including financial history, trustee details and accounts, on the Charity Commission's online register.

View our Charity Commission Record
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32