Fr. Neil Kelley – Rector

Fr. Neil has been Rector of St Laurence’s since October 2017 having moved from the Parish of Bushey (Herts). Before Bushey, Fr Neil served the Liverpool Diocese for fifteen years as a Parish Priest, Diocesan Advisor on Liturgy & Worship and member of the Diocesan Church Growth Team.

Fr. Neil is passionate about people engaging with Christ through inclusive worship and daily discipleship. When he’s off duty, he can be found playing the piano (his professional hobby), enjoying time with friends, and walking his black Labrador, Poppy.

01257 266037 / 07980 872203               rector@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Rev. Mo Baldwin – Curate

Maureen (Mo) was ordained deacon in June 2019 after finally accepting the call from the very persistent God to serve in full time ministry. She has been a teacher and youth worker and most recently headed up the team for The Children’s Society that works with the Church. She is passionate about making Christ known, building a community that welcomes all and inviting people to live as disciples of Jesus.

In her free time she and her husband, Shaun, spend time with their playful labradoodle Winnie and with friends and family. Date night is often spent eating fish and chips with a can of Vimto, sat on a bench on Lytham Green.

07592 838726                                         curate@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Joan Hayward – Reader

Joan is a Reader at St Laurence’s Chorley. Readers are people called by God, trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work; in plain speaking to be useful in sharing the message of Jesus and work of the church with everybody.

Joan also works locally in a full-time administration role, spends time with family and enjoys various ways of relaxing.

07500 776195                                      joan@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Phil Hall – Pastoral Assistant

Phil Hall has been a member of St. Laurence Church for over 30 years having previously been heavily involved in his church in Bolton. Phil served a total of seven years as churchwarden and is currently part of the pastoral visiting team.

Phil has three children and eight grandchildren, ages ranging from 22 years old down to the youngest at nine months old. Other than family, Phil is passionate about football and cricket and is a season ticket holder with Chorley Football Club and a member of Chorley Cricket Club. Phil also enjoys brewing his own wine and cider.

01257 415602

Dodie Jones – Pastoral Assistant

Dorothy (usually known as Dodie) trained to become a Pastoral assistant sixteen years ago. Prior to this, she had worked for Preston Cruse bereavement care. During this time, she rose to the challenge of accepting the role of Diocesan Lay Director of Blackburn Cursillo for four years. Just before he retired, Bishop Nicholas invited any PAs in the Diocese to the status of ‘Emeritus’ and as her circumstances had changed, she accepted this, enabling her to lay down some of the duties of pastoral work. She still helps with Baptism preparation and is part of the ministry team, taking part in two house-groups and spirituality group and is always available to minister whenever needed.

She loves gardening, going to the theatre, holidaying every year in Portugal and walking with her husband David when both have free time! Dodie is passionate about loving people into a closer walk with Christ.

01257 265189

Jackie Gemson – Parish Administrator and Rector’s Personal Assistant

Jackie worked in Human Resources for Newcastle City Council for ten years after graduating from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. After moving back home to Lancashire in 2009, Jackie worked as a PA for a Director at Lancashire County Council and as an Administrator and PA in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at UCLan.

When not working, Jackie loves spending family time with her husband, Lloyd, and their two children, Grace and Henry.

01257 231360

office@stlaurencechorley.co.uk or pa@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Alan Winstanley – Director of Music

Alan first began learning the organ at Wigan Parish Church with David Cutter and while in the sixth form at the Deanery High School he was a member of the British Youth Choir. He furthered his studies at London College of Music with Gordon Phillips. He was appointed organist at St Peter’s Notting Hill Gate and after graduating undertook a PGCE at King Alfred’s College, Winchester.  In September 1982 he took up his first teaching post at UpHolland High School. In August of that year Alan was appointed Organist at St. Laurence’s. In 1986 he became Head of Music at Ormskirk Grammar School and in 1996 was promoted to be in charge of the Arts Faculty. The school merged in 2001 with Cross Hall High School to form Ormskirk School.

After 28 years at the school Alan took early retirement in July 2014.  Alan was Conductor of the St Nicholas Singers and for the last thirteen years has been Conductor of the Chorley Choral Society. Alan is a senior examiner for AQA Examination Board for A level music.

01257 241995                                                   alan@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Claire Hale – Events Co-ordinator

Claire is our Events Co-ordinator and has been with St. Laurence’s Church twelve years since moving to Chorley in 2007. She has undertaken many roles within church including Sunday School leader, sidesperson and is currently on the PCC.

Claire worked as a senior traffic engineer in the private sector for 13 years before changing career to run her own business. She has three children and enjoys keeping fit, reading, sewing, baking and has a strong love of the sea since being a small child. Her vision is to strengthen relationships within church and to reach out, linking the church with the local community.

01257 231360