Introduction
Welcome to our parish profile and thank you for taking the time to read through it. We hope it will give you the information you require to prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to join us.
In the following pages we will seek to give you a taste of life at St Matthews, what our core values are, our aspirations for the future and how we strive to make a difference in our community by seeking Gods word and applying it to everyday situations.
We are a welcoming community of faith nestled in the heart of Tipton in the Black Country, praying for the right person to both lead our church family and have a heart for mission and outreach in the wider community. We pray God will speak to you as you read through these pages and if God is calling you here that He will confirm it in your heart. We are excited to welcome a new vicar who will lead us in our spiritual journey, inspire us with their teaching, and work alongside us to serve our community.
Parish Changes & Trustees
St Matthew’s parish, when new, was formed from part of the original St Paul’s Parish to offer an evangelical alternative. St Matthew’s church now serves the combined parishes of St Matthew, St Paul and St Martin. The latter two church buildings still exist. St Paul’s was sold recently and was taken over by The Elite Church, St Martin’s is now a private residence. Our original patrons, Simeons Trustees, have helped us many times with engaging new ministers, although, with the joining of the parishes of St Martin and St Paul with St Matthew’s, we now have CPAS as joint Trustees with Simeons Trustees.
Deanery & Diocese
The Diocese of Lichfield is one of the largest in the Church of England, serving a population of over 2 million. It covers Staffordshire, the northern half of Shropshire and the Black Country boroughs of Wolverhampton, Walsall and half of Sandwell. Under the overall leadership of Bishop Michael Ipgrave, it is divided into 3 Episcopal areas; Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Stafford. Tipton is part of the Wolverhampton area under The Right Reverend Dr Timothy Wambunya.
We are part of the Wednesbury Deanery in the Archdeaconry of Walsall. We are the southernmost part of the Diocese of Lichfield and only a short distance from our neighbours in the Worcester Diocese.
bishop of wolverhampton statement
Rural Dean’s Statement
Wednesbury Deanery comprises nine Parishes in the heart of the Black Country. It is an urban Deanery throughout and the people have a legendary sense of humour and a strong sense of history. Indeed Wednesbury is mentioned in the Domesday Book and there is a 14th Century document that described Birmingham as ‘a small village on the outskirts of Wednesbury.
The Parish of St Matthew’s (St Matt’s) has a congregation with great faith and resilience. In the last two years they have experienced the death of their previous Incumbent and a church split due to ‘Living in love and faith’. Congregations diminished at the time but have since nearly trebled with new people joining almost every week. Having moved into the church Hall for worship, they have now grown to the point when they need to move back into the main church again. You only have to walk into the church on a Sunday and the worship is alive with the presence of the Holy Spirit. As Rural Dean, I am incredibly proud of this church and am certain that the next Incumbent will be blessed to lead such a special group of people. There are many mission opportunities to engage in and a supportive and encouraging congregation to work with.
Wednesbury Deanery is part of the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area. Bishop Tim and Archdeacon Liz are proactively focussed on mission and aim to significantly grow congregations across the area. Wednesbury Deanery is comparatively small and we have recently reformed our chapter and Deanery Synod which meet regularly as a place for support, prayer, discussion and vision. St Matt’s have a great team of Wardens and PCC who keep mission and prayer at the heart of all they do.
Please do pray whether you might be the person to take this wonderful congregation to the next stage of their life in God.
Canon Ben Whitmore
Interim Rural Dean of Wednesbury
Rural Dean’s Statement
Wednesbury Deanery comprises nine Parishes in the heart of the Black Country. It is an urban Deanery throughout and the people have a legendary sense of humour and a strong sense of history. Indeed Wednesbury is mentioned in the Domesday Book and there is a 14th Century document that described Birmingham as ‘a small village on the outskirts of Wednesbury.
The Parish of St Matthew’s (St Matt’s) has a congregation with great faith and resilience. In the last two years they have experienced the death of their previous Incumbent and a church split due to ‘Living in love and faith’. Congregations diminished at the time but have since nearly trebled with new people joining almost every week. Having moved into the church Hall for worship, they have now grown to the point when they need to move back into the main church again. You only have to walk into the church on a Sunday and the worship is alive with the presence of the Holy Spirit. As Rural Dean, I am incredibly proud of this church and am certain that the next Incumbent will be blessed to lead such a special group of people. There are many mission opportunities to engage in and a supportive and encouraging congregation to work with.
Wednesbury Deanery is part of the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area. Bishop Tim and Archdeacon Liz are proactively focussed on mission and aim to significantly grow congregations across the area. Wednesbury Deanery is comparatively small and we have recently reformed our chapter and Deanery Synod which meet regularly as a place for support, prayer, discussion and vision. St Matt’s have a great team of Wardens and PCC who keep mission and prayer at the heart of all they do.
Please do pray whether you might be the person to take this wonderful congregation to the next stage of their life in God.
Canon Ben Whitmore
Interim Rural Dean of Wednesbury
Come and join the Adventure!
Address
Dudley Rd, Tipton DY4 8DJ
admin@stmattstipton.com