Visitation services take place in summer each year following the election of churchwardens at the APCM. During these services which take place around the diocese, churchwardens of the parish are admitted to their office and sidespersons and PCC members make declarations of support.
Visitation services have a special legal significance in the church calendar. Until a churchwarden is admitted by an archdeacon he or she is not in office. Historically when churchwardens were admitted they would be asked to report on the morality of their clergy, the parish, the condition of the church and the administration of divine service. Modern visitation services focus on prayer, encouragement and support. It is also a time to celebrate the role and work of all churchwardens and a time to meet fellow churchwardens, the Area Deans and your Archdeacon.
The visitation form to display on your church door can be downloaded in two formats:
For 2024, the services are taking place on the following dates:
Archdeaconry of Manchester
7:30pm, Mon 3 June - St Werburgh's Church, Chorlton
7:30pm, Thurs 6 June - St Margaret's Church, Burnage
7:30pm, Wed 19 June - St Clement's Church, Urmston
7:30pm, Wed 3 July - St Matthew and St Mary's Church, Crumpsall
7:30pm, Tues 9 July – Manchester Cathedral
Archdeaconry of Rochdale
7.30 pm, Wed 5th June, Christ Church, Ashton Under Lyne, Taunton Road, OL7 9DR
7:30pm, Thursday 6th June, Oldham Parish Church, Rock Street, Oldham, OL1 3UH
7:30pm, Wed 19th June, St Luke's Church, Heywood
7:30pm, Tues 25th June, St Chad's Church, Rochdale
Archdeaconry of Salford and Leigh
7:30pm, Wed 12th June, St Mark's Church, Worsley
Archdeaconry of Bolton
7:30pm, Mon 10th June, St Mary, Rawtenstall
7:30pm, Tues 18th June, Bolton Parish Church
7.30pm, Mon 17th June, St Peter’s Church, Bury