Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2)
OUR HUW
Revd Huw Thomas started his working life as an inner city youth worker in Wythenshawe. After a number of years wrestling with his calling, he eventually starting his training to become a priest by attending Queen's Theological College in Birmingham.
Huw started his theological life working in Salford before coming to serve St Michael's Church, Flixton. He has a son, Billy, who attended St Michael's School, where Huw is also a governor. Sadly, his wife Natalie died shortly after his induction as the priest in charge at St Michael's Church. A massive football fan, particularly of Manchester United, he also plays golf regularly and is an amateur DJ.
OUR FIONA
Fiona is Associate Priest at St Michael's but spends most of her week at Christie Hospital where she works as a nurse and chaplain. She's worshipped at the church, alongside her husband Mike, since 2002 and was ordained as a Minister in Secular Employment in 2016.
Fiona had two now adult children, a menagerie of pets and when not at church or the hospital can be found crocheting or exploring the folklore and traditions of the British Isles.
OUR NICK
Nick worked as an Academic Librarian at The University of Manchester for 29 years before joining Bolton Libraries on a part-time basis, allowing him to devote more time to his ministry. He was ordained in 2023 and priested in 2024, having previously been licensed as a Reader at St Andrew’s Church, Blackley, in 2017. His sending church is St Luke’s, Wythenshawe.
Nick is delighted to be joining the St Michael’s family and looks forward to working alongside such a dedicated and friendly team.
A passionate advocate for inclusivity, Nick serves as a Manchester Ambassador for the Inclusive Church Network and supports the Open Table network of churches across the UK.
In his free time, Nick enjoys travelling, reading, and meeting new people. He lives in Salford with his civil partner, Colin.
OUR CHURCH
It’s very difficult to determine the date of the first Church in Flixton. The first references to the Church speak of it as already existing and the old church of St Michael’s is mentioned in the doomsday book. Though there is no evidence of a Saxon church here, the Normans never claimed to have founded a church on this site. Soon after 1066, the Normans acquired the land and the Norman carving above the East Window on the exterior of the building testifies to a stone-built Norman Church.
Therefore, there may well have been a Rector and poor wooden church in Flixton prior to the arrival of the Normans. It’s probably safe to say that Christians have worshipped in this place for at least 900 years making this one of the oldest foundations in Manchester Diocese.
