The Good Shepherd Church
The Church of the Good Shepherd is a small, single storey building, serving the village community of Rode Heath, just outside Sandbach, on the A533, Sandbach Road. The church was built in1906 as a “Chapel of Ease” to serve the two farming communities of Rode Heath and Thurlwood. During the second half of the 20th century the two communities grew and merged to form Rode Heath.
The Good Shepherd Church can be found at the centre of the canal side village of Rode Heath. It is a small, inclusive, friendly church, which offers a warm welcome to everyone who joins them in their worship and/or their social activities.
The Good Shepherd has a small Sunday school room attached, which is used as much as possible to provide a facility for the community. It is used for meetings of Rainbows, Brownies and until recently by a small Pilates group. It is also used for meetings of the “S” Club (a Sunday school group which meets on a Monday night!),
A Wednesday Charity Lunch Club meets in the Sunday School room after the Wednesday church service, and serves soup or ploughman’s lunches depending on the season. This helps to maintain community links and raise money for local and national charities and causes.
The schoolroom set for the Wednesday Club’s Christmas meal
Regular social events such as pie and pea suppers, Summer and Autumn fairs and other evening events are held in order to raise money to enable the church to meet its share of the Parish precept and running costs.
Profits made from the lunches can be used in several ways
- to improve the fabric or running of The Good Shepherd Church
- to subsidise needy causes locally.
- to make a donation to any local, national or international organisation or charity in need of support
The decision to use the profits are discussed and agreed upon by the people attending the Lunch Club.
A record of expenditure and profit is kept and audited with the Good Shepherd accounts each year.
Catering staff at The Good Shepherd Church have been awarded a five star rating for food hygiene by Cheshire East Council.
Activities are planned and organised by an active, open, committee and take place on a monthly basis for fellowship, and also to help raise the funds needed to keep the church running, and in good repair, for future generations to enjoy.
The activities offered include, themed meals, afternoon teas, social walks, seasonal fayres and bingos.
Enjoying a social walk at Rudyard
We also celebrate the main Christian festivals with events such as an Agape meal at Easter and Carols by Candlelight at Christmas.
The church rearranged for an Agape meal
The small schoolroom, attached to the church, is the venue for the local Brownies and Rainbows to meet each week, as well as our “S” Club ( a Sunday school which meets on Monday nights!) and our Wednesday Charity Lunch Club which meets on Wednesdays straight after our mid-week service.
The church is now licensed for wedding services and blessings and can accommodate up to 100 people. It offers a more informal atmosphere for those wanting a more relaxed occasion.
All services held at the Good Shepherd are relaxed and informal and all are welcome.