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St James and Emmanuel

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Projects | St James Church

St James Spiritual Walk

An opportunity to contribute to the creation of an enduring legacy.

We have long had a vision of visitors being taken on a journey as they entered this ancient spiritual site, one that would slow down the pace of life and engage both mind and body. We saw them being surprised by beautiful sculptures combined with quotations from the Bible – giving pause for thought, lifting the mind from the mundane to the spiritual.

Stone bird water table full with water and carved with the inscription: "Pour out your heary like water in the presence of the Lord". From Lamentations 2, verse 9
Bird water table carved by Nick Roberson.

Using skilled craftspeople and materials that are traditional and enduring, we have installed a series of sculptures, the signposts on the spiritual walk. Eventually, 13 pieces will take people on a journey round the churchyard based on the various stages found in the book of prayer – themes such as Confession, Forgiveness and Blessing.

Red sandstone foundation stone, cracked through the middle. The inscription on the top reads: "The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all". From Psalms 118, verse 22
Foundation stone, carved by Nick Roberson.

Our hope is that, carved in stone and forged in metal, this walk with God will inspire visitors for generations to come.

We would like to commission further installations through donations, however large or small.

Carved wall with the inscription about the cloud of witnesses
The Cloud of Witnesses, carved by Nick Roberson.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and run with perseverance the race that is set before us.

Hebrew 12 v1

Transforming the view through the lychgate is our current focus. A newly planted seating area will encourage visitors to discover the route behind the church with a beech hedge screening the property beyond. Nestled in amongst the plants in front of the bench will be a new installation inspired by the surrounding foliage.

Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11 v28

In the future, we’re aiming to install a sculpture of a sheep made from recycled metal in the long grass of the lower ‘wilderness’ area.

A ewe and her lamb in a field, sculpted in rusted metal parts
An example of the proposed style of sculpture.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, O Lord.

Psalm 119 v176

If you would like to consider contributing to one of these pieces, please email the Parish Office in complete confidence.

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Parish Office, Parish Centre, Emmanuel, 6 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury M20 6TR.