StOM StOM 1509 | Page 12

St Oswald’s “Elsewhere 1 ” A distinctly more rural setting surrounds one of our namesakes in the Deep South! In one of the five parishes of Over Wyre, St Oswald’s, from its heart in its fine Austin-Paley building of 1899, serves the villages of Preesall and Knott End-on- Sea (pop 5,884) with its Sunday, weekday, and occasional special services, but also takes its ministry out to two church schools, three nursing homes, and some 45 home communicants who receive every month (our sea air does wonders for longevity!) A welcoming and friendly church; St O’s has superb community facilities in their recently extended church hall; a large car park; a traditional choir; and youth and other organisations are guaranteed plenty of opportunities for young people and their families to worship & socialise in the protective atmosphere of a Child-Friendly Church. St Oswald's was originally built as a mission church of St James, Stalmine, to serve the two growing villages, and was granted its independence in 1934, when its curate, the Rev'd Joseph Holt, was translated to Vicar. Joseph Holt retired in 1961, after 30 years' service to St Oswald's, but some members of our congregation remember him, and the historic links between our two churches, clergy and congregations have still not been entirely erased from memory. Part of the Diocese of Blackburn, the current incumbent is The Revd Andrew James Shaw For more information go to: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/preesall-st-oswald/ An occasional series looking at St Oswald’s churches across the globe. 1 StOM Page 12