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 loves to help other people and this is demonstrated by the continuance of his work as a Chaplain at HMP Manchester.
He has a son, Billy, who attends 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 CAROLINE
Revd Caroline Bailey is our curate who also works part time as teacher of English.
Caroline is delighted to be training at St Michael’s. She is married with two children who are now 17 and 19, one of whom is profoundly disabled the experience of which has been a big part of her spiritual journey. She likes reading, films and swimming and talking to all different kinds of people.
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 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.