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South Leeds: Behind the scenes at St Cross Church, Middleton
Rev Andy Myers.
When I arrive at St Mary’s Church in Middleton, Rev Andy Myers is comforting a tearful parishioner praying in the pews.
“There are 13,500 people in Middleton,” the priest later tells me as we sit in his vestry.
“And every single one of them can all call on my services.
“We regard everybody who lives in the area as members of our church, whether they’re churchgoers or not.”
St Mary’s has a long history in Middleton.
It was built in the mid-19th century when it was expanding as a mining village and was constructed by local miners.
Funding came from pit owners the Brandling family - who lived in Middleton Park and owned much of the land in the area.
Later a second church, St Cross, was built to serve the other end of Middleton as council housing began to spring up.
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As parish priest of both churches, Andy is well-placed to see the strengths and challenges of Middleton.
“Unemployment is an issue here,” he says. “A lot of young people have little hope because they feel there is no future for them. These people often find themselves being demonised and pilloried by politicians.
“I have a disabled parishioner who is dying who is being forced to fill in an 18-page form to justify why she can’t work.
“And even if these people could work there aren’t the jobs out there for them to do anyway.”
Andy is originally from Seacroft and was previously a curate at St Aiden’s in Harehills.
He now lives in Middleton after becoming parish priest nearly four years ago.
“I’m from this kind of community,” he says. “It’s a tough community, but it is a community. “There are a lot of good things about Middleton. Everyone knows each other and the sense of family is very strong.
“There is a lot of caring for one another here, there is a huge support network.”
Between the two churches there are a host of regular events including a weekly youth club, guide and scout meetings and luncheon club.
“We’ve got 17 weddings here this year,” he says proudly, “all local people. Even if they don’t come regularly, people still see this is as their church.
“And as well as being there for them they are there for us.
“Our parishioners raised £60,000 to fund a disabled toilet for the church.”
More money will have to be found in the near future to repair water damage caused when lead was stolen from the church’s roof by metal thieves.
The gable end of the building is also suffering from subsidence due to the presence of an old mine shaft directly beneath it.
“But we will still be here for anyone who needs us,” says Andy. “No matter who they are or why they need us.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
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