About Us

Leesfield Parish covers a wide and diverse area encompassing Lees, Knolls Lane, Holts, Park Bridge, Salem and Roundthorn.

The people who live in our parish come from a variety of different backgrounds, and we seek to make our churches welcoming to all of them, without discrimination of any kind. We are members of the Inclusive Church network. 

Our Vicar is the Reverend Edith Disley, and we have two associate priests, Reverend Ruth Farrar and Reverend David Halford. There are also several lay people authorised to assist at the Eucharist, and many who do readings and lead Intercessions at our services.

A small but committed Pastoral Care Team, led by Reverend Ruth Farrar is extremely active in “taking the Church” out into the community. There are regular visits to Residential Care Homes in the area, and the team makes pastoral visits and takes Home Communion to parishioners who are no longer able to attend Church services.

We aim to encourage lay members of our congregations to explore their vocations, and "To grow as disciples of Christ and to share God’s love across the parish and beyond"

Holts Village is a most important part of our parish, being in a seriously deprived area. Edith is working with the Diocese and Deanery to try to increase the presence of the Church in Holts Village, and Archdeacon Cherry is particularly active in this.

There is also a new Holts and Lees Community Team based at the hub on Near Birches Parade, which is proving to be really successful in providing new opportunities and assistance for residents of the estate. Leesfield parish is represented at Holts and Lees Action Group meetings.

Whilst we have two Church buildings, (St. Thomas’ and St. Agnes’), and a Worship Centre within St. Hugh’s School, we are very much one Parish. Our Church services are attended by people from all around the Parish and beyond. 

The Parish is part of the Oldham East Deanery, with Reverend Lyn Woodall as our Area Dean. Our Archdeacon is the Venerable Cherry Vann, Archdeacon of Rochdale, and our Area Bishop is Bishop Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton. We are part of the Diocese of Manchester, and the Right Reverend David Walker is our Diocesan Bishop. 

Leesfield Parish is also an active member of Churches Together in Lees and District, together with St. John’s C of E Church, Salem Moravians, Zion Methodist, Springhead Congregational, St. Edward’s R C Church and Roundthorn Salvation Army. Clergy and lay people work together on planning joint services and events throughout the year, including the Week of Christian Unity, World Day of Prayer, Lent Groups, Good Friday, Whit Sunday and Remembrance Sunday.