ChadNet – no 173

ChadNet – no 173 – Sunday 16th July 2023

ChadNet - the eBulletin of St Chad's Church, Pattingham with Patshull

Welcome to this week’s edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.

In this week’s ChadNet:

View from the Pews

Jane Horton

I love to hear about the history of Pattingham from people who have lived here all their lives. I had heard that there had been a Methodist chapel and a Catholic one at different times in the village, and when Henry asked me to contribute to Views from the Pews, I thought I would try to find out some background about them.

Before 1534, when Henry VIII proclaimed himself Head of the Church in England, our village church, like all parish churches in England, would have been a Catholic one, of course. For many decades after that there followed religious upheaval and differences. People who refused to attend services of the Church of England were liable to be fined, and Catholic priests who held services were guilty of treason and faced the death penalty.

A number of prominent local families remained loyal to the Crown whilst continuing to practice their religion quietly, such as the Giffards of Chillington, and the Astleys of Patshull Hall. The consequences they suffered give a vivid picture of how violent the persecution of Catholics could be. John Giffard entertained Elizabeth I at Chillington in 1575, but was denounced as a Catholic and spent much of the rest of his life in prison or on parole, as well as being heavily fined. His grandson, also John, built a ‘hunting lodge’ at Boscobel, which was never actually used for hunting. It was used as a Catholic ‘safe house’, complete with ‘priest holes’.

In 1664 it was suspected that the old Patshull Hall was housing a “Popish” garrison, and the hall was successfully raided by a certain Captain Stone and his men. The drawbridge was down, and the defenders were taken by surprise. Many were killed, and about sixty prisoners were taken, including the governor and two Jesuits.

In Pattingham, just a small number of Catholics were registered during all these years of division, and it wasn’t until 1930, thanks to the initiatives of the Wolverhampton branch of the Catholic Women’s League, that a Catholic mass centre was set up. At first mass was said in the Pigot Arms, then in about 1934 an upper room in the outbuildings at the side of Pattingham Stores was set up as a chapel dedicated to Our Lady and the English Martyrs. (Pattingham Stores was situated where the Lychgate Coffee Shop is now, and the outbuildings eventually became the house we now know as The Bakehouse). There was capacity for about 25 people. In about 1957 the chapel moved to a private house in Upper Westbeech, closing some two years later. At first the chapel was served by a priest from Wolverhampton, but from about 1932 a priest came from Tettenhall to hold services. During the war Catholic children were evacuated from Liverpool to Pattingham. They attended the village school and went to the services held in the little chapel.

Old chapel

Some Protestant dissenters were registered in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and the first Chapel for Independents was registered in 1843. Then in 1858 a Primitive Methodist Chapel was built towards the bottom of the High Street, on the left approaching the Rudge Road. With its arched windows, it is still recognisable as a chapel. In 1872 it was bought and refurbished by Mr Samuel Small Mander, founder partner of the Mander Brothers company and a deacon at Queen Street Congregational Church in Wolverhampton. Pattingham became one of its village stations, run from Queen Street, with an initial membership of eight. However, it doesn’t sound as if Pattingham was very responsive to the Congregational cause – by 1877 membership had increased by only one member, and it was stated that “the work here is especially arduous, but much needed, and there are signs of improvement”. Unfortunately, that proved to be over optimistic. The chapel lost members in the early 1880s, and finally closed in 1887. (It may be worth mentioning here that in the 19th century, Pattingham became notorious for ‘sports’ like bull baiting, with miners and iron workers from Shropshire and the Black Country travelling to enjoy its numerous pubs and ale houses, which were often ‘open all hours’! Perhaps it is not so surprising that the Congregationalists believed their work was much needed!) After it closed, the chapel building was converted into a house. In 1979 it became the West End Stores and Post Office, which many of us will remember, before being converted into the private home it is now.

Sources of my information were – The Victoria County History of Staffordshire; ‘Pattingham’ by R.F. Bond; ‘Pattingham and Patshull, A Millenium History’ by Peter Leigh and Mary Mills, and ‘A little History of the English Country Church’, by Roy Strong.

And I enjoyed lots of internet browsing, of course!

Jane Horton

Would you like to write a View from the Pews?

We welcome contributions for View from the Pews from anyone who would like to write one, It does not need to be on any particular subject. If you would like to write one please send it to or contact Henry Ibberson ( / 01902 701136).

Contacts

We do not have a VIcar at the moment. For matters which would normally be dealt with by the Vicar the churchwardens are the first point of contact. The Vicarage phone (01902 700257) is redirected to the churchwardens. When they are not available a message can be left on the voicemail and they will return the call when they are available. Emails to will be received by the churchwardens.

Contact details for church officers can be found on the Contacts page of the church website. You can use if you are nore sure who to contact and the churchwardens will be able to forward it to the correct person.

Notices, which should be received by Friday evening for inclusion in that week’s ChadNet, and other communications in relation to ChadNet should be sent to

Articles for the magazine should be sent to (note – this is different to the address used before November 2020 which no longer works).

Sunday 16th July – Sixth Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church.This will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by Revd. Paul Brown, to which you are all most welcome. Immediately after communion we will be serving refreshments, tea and coffee.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray  for: All children and young people in the parish.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: St Paul, Pendeford.

This week

The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.

Bellringing practice takes place on Monday at 7.45 pm. Anyone interested in finding out about ringing should contact Geoffrey Dann or any of the ringers.

Monday is the copy date for the August magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at

On Tuesday Prayers for Peace will be said in church at 6 pm. Please do join us and if you would like more information or are willing to lead a session, please contact Mary Hayward ().

On Wednesday at 10.00 am there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.

After the service the church will be open from 10.30 am until at least 11.00 am as a Place of Welcome when anyone who wants to will be welcome to share in the coffee, cake and chat, whether they have been to the service or not. The church heating will be on so those attending will be warm as well as receiving a warm welcome.

On Wednesday at 6 pm the third session of the the Pattingham Shower Singers takes place in church. See below for more information.

At 7 pm on Wednesday Choir Practice takes place in church. Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Greg Lewin or any member of the choir.

At 7.30 pm on Thursday there is a Wedding Rehearsal in church.

At 9.30 am on Friday St Chad’s School’s End of Year Service will be held in church.

Sunday 23rd July – Seventh Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Paul Brown, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

At 6.30 pm there will be a Service in the Iona style, led by Ken Scott, in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live or work in: Hall End Lane, Beech Close, Beech Croft.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: St Anne, Lower Penn.

Exploring Prison Ministry

Prison Fellowship

On Friday 21st July the Prison Fellowship are holding a national online event (on Zoom) for people interested in being involved in prison ministry. It will take place from 7 pm to 8 pm. For more information or to sign up go to <https://prisonfellowship.org.uk/joinus/>.

Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of people in prison and hear what it is like to be part of their journey of transformation.

Pattingham Shower Singers

Pattingham Shower Singers started off with a flood – of people! 30 of them turned up to the first session, including children, and we had a ball! A further session took place last week and the next will be on Wednesday in Church at 6.00pm to 7.00pm. There will then be a summer break and it will resume on Wednesday 6th September.

All are welcome – age no barrier, no previous singing experience required – just come and sing and have fun!

Words, etc will be provided but if you need more information, contact Alix at

Holiday Club

Are your children looking for Summer Fun?

Following on from last year’s successful holiday club, the PCC is delighted to announce that we will be repeating it this year on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th August. So….

Is your child aged between 4 and 12 years?

Would they enjoy two fun packed days of forest adventure at the Kingwood Trust, Albrighton? Activities include bush walk, den building, pizza making, pond dipping, animal encounters and other adventures.

All activities will be organised by fully trained Kingswood staff supported by volunteers from Pattingham Church.

The cost is £50 for the two days, 10am – 3pm.

Booking is now open. There are only 30 places available so don’t miss out. Full information, including the booking form, at www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/hc

Go Ape Adventure Discovery Day

Saturday 16th September 09:30 – 18:30. An Adventure Discovery Day at Go Ape on Cannock Chase for those aged between 6 and 18.

Coach will leave Pattingham at 9.30 am returning approx 3.30 pm followed by food in the Village Hall.

The day will be rounded off by a film show in St Chad’s Church ending at approx 6.30 pm.

Cost for full day only £20 to £35 per head, depending on Adventure chosen, inclusive of transport, food and film show.

Bookings are coming in and registration forms are available from . Will be a great day out for all our young people – don’t delay book today! Closing date 22nd July. Enquiries to Henry Ibberson on 07775 680705 or email .

Dementia Friendly Church

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2023-24

Memory fades and recollections become hazy clouds,
Fading outlines of strangers` faces and forgotten places.
Even the familiar, loved ones and names that once tripped lightly off the tongue cause confusion, in what seems a cruel dismantling of a life once lived.
Compassionate God, for all who live in fear of what they might become, and those already walking down this lonely road we call dementia, grant them peace.
May each moment, however brief be filled with joy not sorrow.
AMEN
(author unknown)

Donations for The Well

The need for the Food Bank continues and the box for donations for the Food Bank at The Well in Wolverhampton continues to be at the back of the church. The wishing well is also at the back of the church if you have any spare loose change. Donations, however small, go towards running costs. Don’t be shy, every little helps!

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 9th and 23rd July.

Campbell Harris – 10th July 1966
David John Rushton – 11th July 1995
Walter Newman Foggin – 11th July 2014
Jennifer Anne Baxter – 14th July 2007
Henry Charles Peever – 15th July 1991
Charles Herbert James Gosling – 16th July 1989
Florence Gladys Roberts – 17th July 1998
George Derek Thomason – 21st July 1990
Agnes Victoria Louise Fellows – 23rd July 1992

You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.

Giving to the church

Details of the various ways in which you can give can be found on the Giving page of the website.

We have a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at www.justgiving.com/pattingham-church. You will be asked if you want to make a contribution on top of your donation. If you do it will go to JustGiving and not to charity. If you do not want to make such a contribution select “other”. If you are a taxpayer please consider gift aiding your donation.

You can make a bank transfer to our bank account (Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council – Sort Code: 20-97-78 Account No: 50655023).

If you are paying by cheque please make the cheque payable to “Pattingham PCC” or “Pattingham Parochial Church Council“.

ChadNet

This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 119 subscribers but there may still  be some people who are not aware of it and would wish to receive it. The weekly bulletin for each Sunday will normally be sent on the preceding Friday or Saturday. Additional bulletins may be sent if required. It is only being sent to those who have requested it.

If you know of anyone who might be interested please tell them about it and ask them to sign up using the form on the website (www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/chadnet/sign-up-to-chadnet/) or by email to

St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604