"Showing all people in St Helens that God loves them"
St Helens Parish Church is part of the Church of England in the Diocese of Liverpool. We are also part of a group of 11 churches coming together to form a larger single Parish of Church St Helens. We are really enjoying working together to renew hope in our town and see more justice as more people know Jesus.
Our Vision and Values
Here at St Helens Parish Church we are mediating on what our vision statement to show all people in St Helens that God loves them means. We are passionate about being God’s family, recognising that we value being together as we worship God, as we grow in faith, as we explore what following Jesus means in our lives. We may not all agree! But we want to be together and invest in our relationships, honouring one another in our difference. Our worship on Sundays reflects this, with it being slightly different each week so that through the month there is something for all of the family - old and young!
We are exploring our mission to serve the town centre here in St Helens and are working towards being a ‘Minster’ church for the town. The full mission plan for St Helens Minster is available to read here.
As a worshipping community we remain dedicated to following Jesus Christ, preaching the good news of the gospel and welcoming people in His name.
Meet our Team
Rachel Shuttleworth - Team Vicar
Hi, I am Rachel and I am the Team Vicar here at St Helens Parish Church. Before training for the ministry I worked in TV production amongst other things. I am married to Rob, I love trees, cups of tea, baking and laughing. I am passionate about Jesus and hope and pray that all who connect with St Helens Parish Church, whether online or in the church building are able to get to know more about Jesus and find a safe space to explore faith.
Gill Fenton Associate Vicar
Hi I’m Gill, and I live with my daughter and our two cats, Peppa and George. I am an SSM (self-supporting minister) which means I work part time as a chaplain for a charity in Liverpool and am here every Sunday and two days through the week.
Phil Watkins - Church Warden
I’m Phil, and I’ve been a member of St Helens Parish Church since being a boy chorister! I now enjoy retirement with my wife Janice and all our family. When not at church or with family you can often find me bowling at the Parish Church bowling green!
Liz Thornton - Operations and Events Manager
Hello! I’m Liz, and I started working here in February! I live in Haydock with my husband Phil and our two cats Denii and Stanley. In my spare time I love singing and making music. I’m so excited to be part of the team here at St Helens Parish Church, as we journey, with the other churches in St Helens to become The Minster church for the town and work together to make the love of Jesus known to everyone.
Kat White - Minster Café Manager
Kat has lots of experience working in church and community cafe settings, and joins us after graduating in Theology to continue the pioneering work of our Minster Cafe. She loves reading, watching films and baking. She’s always on the look out for volunteers too!
Paul Brown - Community and Engagement Worker
Paul has worked with people in the community for over 20 years. He is passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone he meets.
Kim Quinn - Office Administrator
Kim has been an office administrator at St Helens Parish Church for many years, following over 24 years’ experience as a solicitor. Kim’s hobbies include horse-riding, dog-walking, reading & going to the cinema.
Gill Lea-Wilson - Children’s Worker
Gill has been a member of Parish Church since her youth. She leads Tots & Tinies and Tuesday cafe. Outside of church, Gill also runs her own florist business, Lilies of the field and enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing in a brass band.
Emma Howarth - Reader
My name is Emma Howarth. I am a lay reader at Parish Church where my husband, Steve, and I worship with our family. We have lived in St Helens with our three children and dog since summer 2013. I enjoy crocheting and lots of walking.
Our History
The church was built in 1926, after the former Parish Church building, known as St Mary’s, burned down in 1916. The church commissioned W.D. Caröe, one of the most distinguished of English church architects, to design a new church building. St Helens Parish Church was to be the first of Caröe’s churches to be designed after the Great War. The foundation stone was laid in 1920 and the building was completed in 1926.
We took our information about the Parish Church building from the following sources:
1. Jennifer M Freeman, W.D.Caröe, His Architecural Achievement, 1990, Manchester University Press.
2. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, Buildings of England: South Lancashire, Penguin, 1969. p.50