Former history teacher from Crewe starts new chapter at Cheshire church
A former history teacher from Crewe is making history for a historic Cheshire town centre church - starting a new chapter at the place of worship.
Rev Jayne Manfredi, took up her new role at St Mary's Church, Sandbach, last month - launching a toddler group for one of her first projects.
The Sandbach church is launching a toddler group, 'Tiddlers,' in September and the church's new curate is the brains behind it.
This toddler group will hold a special place in Rev Manfredi's heart, for it's thanks to the very concept that the mother-of-four from Crewe is a curate.
The Reverend is part of the 'Love Crewe' mission - an initiative involving local churches coming together to show God's love for the town.
Mrs Manfredi told Nub News: "I went along to a toddler group with my own children and met a wonderful woman who had been raised in the church.
"That set me thinking and I explored religion a bit more and here I am.
"I attended theology college in Birmingham for four years and was ordained by the Bishop at Chester Cathedral in July."
Rev Manfredi, who also grew up in Crewe, said that she first realised the power of religion when her husband was made redundant and she had a miscarriage in the same week.
She said: "I knocked on the door of the vicar of the church where I had been attending the toddler group and spoke with him.
"I went home and my husband remarked how that it looked like I had been lit up from inside. It was a turning point and I saw how God had entered into other people's lives."
The 43-year-old has four children of her own - aged nine, 12, 14 and 18. She has become a familiar face around St Mary's, working alongside vicar, Rev Bee Boyde.
"It's a wonderful church and town. There is so much potential and I have been made to feel so welcome," she said.
"I am so proud to be doing what I am doing. It's been a difficult couple of years for everyone but we're here to help and provide support."
Rev Manfredi says she's overwhelmed with the generosity of toy donations for the new toddler group.
Local Nub Nub News site, Sandbach Nub News, ran a story appealing for toys and some of the donations are a result of that story.
Rev Manfredi added: "Everyone's response has been wonderful. I can't thank people enough.
"We've had some amazing donations from a ride-on tractor, to dolls, pushchairs and toy kitchens."
Mrs Manfredi preached at St Mary's for the first-time last month and it's not just in church where parishioners will hear her voice.
The mother-of-four appears from time-to-time on BBC Radio 4's 'Thought for the Day'.
During the 2020 Men's Euros, she spoke about racism and no doubt will be asked to speak again in the future about another subject.
The new toddler group, 'Tiddlers,' starts on Monday 19 September, taking place inside St Mary's Church Hall from 9am to 10:30 am.
'Tiddlers' will take place during term time and all are welcome.
READ MORE: Casualty rescued from car following late night collision close to popular Cheshire landmark.
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