As we celebrate 50 years of Brunswick Church, stories, memories and reflections from some of our members and ex-members
A church without walls
I will never forget that scene on my first visit to Brunswick in 1986. I was waiting outside the church and suddenly, old folks on wheel chairs being pushed by young people, turning out from the different lanes, from every direction, toward the church. It was the most beautiful sight! That let me to 3 wonderful years in Brunswick. Visiting Brunswick again in 2018 with my family, I noticed the church was opened to homeless people on a weeknight. I thank God that truly Brunswick was and still is a church without walls, welcoming all into His presence! - Allen Cheng 
Learning and figuring out
I was a curate at Brunswick from 2018 – 2021 so about half of my time was during the pandemic. For me it was a huge time of learning and figuring out how my beliefs worked in the real world. It was a time when I learned the importance of following the rules but also when it was important to break them. Ever the rebel, it’s fair to say that Simon was much more at ease with being a rule breaker than I was! But I learned what it means to be compelled by the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14) and that compassionate decision making is something that I have taken with me into my current ministry in West Yorkshire. Much love and thanks to my Brunswick family and all glory to Jesus. - Jess Davis 
A steadfast support system
As we celebrate 50 years of Brunswick Parish Church, we are proud to be part of this congregation. We first came to Brunswick Church 11 years ago and were warmly welcomed by Anne Flear. Since then, we have been an active part of this church community. The congregation has been a steadfast support system, standing by us through thick and thin, offering prayers and companionship. - Dilu, Anna, Daniella & Danett Varughese* 
When my faith came alive
My strong Anglo-Catholic faith, much needed by a sensitive music student – became a living faith at Brunswick when I invited Jesus into my life. Much of my 3 years of study was spent in hospital with a trapped nerve in my lower back. Throughout this testing, I felt lifted in a cloud of prayer, by many Brunswick Prayer Warriors! Andrea and I were married there in 1979 and later left to join a more local church: Martin Gooder’s “every member ministry” loudly ringing in our ears. I’ve been in church leadership for all of my 36 years there; Brunswick grounding was great training. - Bill Watson, Levenshulme Baptist Church 
Happy memories
I was born and raised going to St Saviours. When the Church moved to Brunswick, my family went with it. Mum and Dad were always actively involved, with Mum as Secretary and Dad, amongst other things, Warden and PCC member. Brunswick formed a major part of my early life, with plenty of happy memories attending Sunday School and later Pathfinders. I still fondly remember the friends I met there. Brunswick was always great at making you feel a part of the church and I always enjoyed helping out whenever I could. The friends I made especially from ‘Barnabas House’ were always very supportive, encouraging and tolerant of a gawky teenager trying to fit in. Alan Beech 
Hugely influential in our Christian lives
I came to Manchester as a music student in 1975. I married Steve Acott in 1976, and Brunswick Church became our home until 1982 when we moved to East London. Brunswick and Martin Gooder and Pete Hobson and so many others around at that time were all hugely influential in our lives as Christians, and there is no doubt our experiences at Brunswick moulded us well, leading on to a lifetime of inner city life in East London. My time as Brunswick’s Friends of the Flats co-ordinator led me into training to become a counsellor, and in East London I founded and ran a charity working with the most vulnerable in our community. - Julia Acott |
My time at Brunswick
September 82 - I had planned to try a few churches as a new pharmacy student but after very late Saturday nights, as Brunswick was the closest church, I stumbled in for a few weeks. It was such a breath of fresh air to see people of all ages, not just 18 to 21yr olds, and I was soon part of the family here. I met Gordon as we were both involved with the youth work, we were married in 1985, and raised our family in the M13 area. Our children had a great group of friends here and now our grandchildren are here too. I’ve loved watching Brunswick evolve over the last 40 years – we used to need a car watch team as car radios were being stolen outside. Thankfully it is now a safer and a much greener place. I’ve loved creating the church garden on what was the pavement between the old health centre and the old shops. The church building has had an upgrade, and is now open most days - always with a bunch of friendly faces and a cuppa. I thank God that I stumbled here all those years ago. - Anne Flear 
All of this thanks to Brunswick
At the end of a morning service in spring 1981 Felicity Higginson said her father who ran a home for the disabled in Bognor Regis wanted some help to cover the summer. Being at the end of my time as a student and facing unemployment I signed up. A young girl recovering from illness used to come in to the home part time to work in the kitchen. We started off loading the dishwasher together and ended up married. 42 years and three children later we are still loading a dishwasher together. All of this thanks to Brunswick. My life would have been completely different if I hadn’t gone to that morning service in 1981. - Robert Gray 
Home is where your heart is.
Home is feeling comfortable, being part of the family, do a little bit or nothing. Being able or not you are always welcomed with a lot or a bit or nothing. This is Brunswick Church, Brunswick. Community, friends, family and where I chose to be and would not be anywhere else no matter what happens. - Lila Tome* Our Brunswick journey
Nearly 14 years ago we started 2 new relationships. One with each other and the other with Brunswick Church. In 2015 we were married here and we couldn't think of a better place to have had our ceremony. The community at Brunswick kept us going through the lockdown via Zoom and this is still handy for the times when we can't be in the building but still want to be part of the services. After all, the church isn't just the building - it's the people inside the building that make it happen. - Lee and Alex Ellis* 
Applying Brunswick Principles
Manchester in 1974 meant for 19 year old me, study, independence and trying to work out what being a follower of Jesus meant. I wanted to be part of a local church, tried a few and eventually made my way to Brunswick, where I felt ‘ at home’. Like most homes, it wasn’t without it’s challenges. Martin Gooder, made it clear Brunswick did not need students coming along on Sundays, who were not prepared to serve the church and community the rest of the week. Since Manchester, I have lived a fair few places, but have always tried to apply Brunswick Principles. - Jan Harding* Formed the basis for our Christian lives
Brunswick Church is where we met, fell in love whilst serving in Nurture Groups and the Drama Group and where we had our engagement party (see photo, July 1982). Martin Gooder took our wedding service in Bury. It was also where we learnt about inner city ministry and 'Every Member Ministry' which have formed the basis for our Christian lives and service ever since. - Chris and Chenda Nuttall 
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*Excerpted from a longer story on page 3 of Brunswick News.
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