HISTORY
THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH
Christ Church Moreton Hall was planted by a single group of Christians from different denominations at the instigation of the Council of Churches for Bury St Edmunds, with the consent of the vicar of St Mary’s. Separate groups of Christians did not gather together to form a new Church.
It has always been envisaged that Christ Church Moreton Hall would be a single body working ecumenically in the clearly defined mission area of Moreton Hall estate. Moreton Hall estate was designated a mission area by both Diocese and Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District and recognised as such by Churches Together in Suffolk.
The local geography of the A14 bypass and the railway line make it a separate area from the rest of Bury St Edmunds. The Borough has designated Moreton Hall to be a new community Distinct and separate from the rest of Bury St Edmunds. That is why it is developing new community resources there. The concept of being a new mission Church is a powerful and unifying feature in the character and self understanding of the Church members.
TIMELINE
Oct 1983 – The Church began
Oct 1985 – The church started meeting at the old Moreton Hall Community Centre
Sep 1987 – A Church Army captain was appointed, Pat Mottram.
Sep 1990 – A Conventional District was created and appointment of our second minister, Revd Jonathan Ford.
Jan 1991 – Land negotiated from St Edmundsbury Borough Council and building appeal launched
Dec 1993 – Christ Church Moreton Hall opened for the first service
Jul 1994 – Dedication of Christ Church & Creation of New Parish from the parishes of St James’s, St Mary’s, Holy Innocents Great Barton, and St Mary’s Rougham
Feb 1996 – Signing of Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment
Oct 1996 – Launch of Church Extension appeal
Jul 1997 – Designated training parish; First self-supporting curate, Revd Nigel Corwin.
Dec 1997 – New Church Hall opened
Jul 1999 to Jun 2002 – First stipendiary curate, Revd Matt Boyes.
Sep 2004 to Jul 2007 – Youth worker who was a CYM student
Apr 2007 to Apr 2011 – Second stipendiary curate, Revd David Grantham.
May 2009 – Purchased land for the Church from Borough
Jun 2012 – Second self-supporting curate, Revd David Carpenter.
Apr 2015 – A Parish Nurse was added to our staff.
Apr 2020 – Parish Boundaries changed to extend up to Sow Lane
Oct 2023 – Revd Jonathan Ford retires after 33 years as Minister.
Aug 2024 to Apr 2026 – Revd Sarah Quantrill is appointed as our part time minister
