Full-Time Incumbent of
Alsager (St Mary Magdalene) with
Hassall Green (St Philip)
The Bishop of Chester is seeking to appoint a full-time incumbent to the parish of Alsager with Hassall Green. St Mary Magdalene’s is in a central location in the town of Alsager, and St Philip’s is in the small village of Hassall Green, The two churches have recently come together to form a new parish.
The churches contrast and complement one another, with St Mary Magdalene located centrally in the town of Alsager, and St Philip’s in the small village of Hassall Green, surrounded by beautiful Cheshire countryside.
Alsager is a friendly town with good amenities, and schools, as well as easy access to countryside and excellent communication links to other areas of the country. It is a popular place to settle for people of all ages
In the next five years we are hoping:
* To see our congregations grow in number and in depth of faith.
* For develop our worship to include a variety of worship styles.
* For our buildings to become a Cultural Hub in each community.
* To become financially secure.
We are praying for an Incumbent who is:
A secure spiritual leader
* Someone rooted in a deep, prayerful faith in Jesus Christ and eager to share the Gospel in everyday life.
* They will help others explore and live out faith in everyday life, and will seek God’s guidance in all decision-making.
A Compassionate Pastor
* Someone who will live out their commitment to fostering a strong and effective safeguarding culture within the parish where all feel safe, valued, and welcome, with a theology that supports our membership of Inclusive Church.
* They will build strong relationships between generations and between our two churches and will be good listener and a visible, approachable presence in both church and community life.
A Creative Worship Leader
* Someone who embraces a variety of worship styles and creates services that connect across ages and backgrounds—including those new to church life.
* They will preach and teach in ways that are engaging, relevant, and accessible, and work collaboratively with the PCC and ministry team to nurture lay ministry in all its forms, helping us connect faith and everyday life.
A Leader with Vision
* Someone who can recognise and nurture individual gifts to foster active participation and teamwork.
* Someone who will help us increase our giving and grow in generosity
* Someone who sees the potential in our buildings and resources for transformation, outreach, and cultural engagement.
* Someone who appreciates sacred space and community use, stewards finances wisely, explores creative income streams, and supports eco-friendly, sustainable practices
Accommodation is offered in a Vicarage located approximately half a mile from St Mary’s Church, on a private housing estate.
We will particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Applicants are required to submit relevant safeguarding training certificates with their applications.
- Closing date: Sunday, 25th January 2025
- Shortlisting: Tuesday, 27th January 2026
- Interviews: Friday, 13th February 2026
The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We will not shortlist candidates unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post.
Candidates are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.
About us:
The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around million.
The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.
The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.
The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries:
Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.
Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.