It is not only that there has been many physical changes – the shopping centre is unrecognisable as is the Trafalgar area for instance – but changed also are the opinions and expectations of Burnley townspeople.

One small example of this can be seen in an anniversary to be celebrated over the coming weekend at St Mark's Parish Church, in Ross-endale Road.

The anniversary is the centenary of the foundation of the church, a remarkable story itself, but the story is illustrative of what was anticipated for our town and what has since been the reality.

Our generation has become used to the steady decline of Burnley. This can be seen in the population of the town – not much more than half of what it was almost 100 years ago – the loss of whole industries and "institutions" like the Burnley Building Society and Massey's Brewery. Had we lived when Queen Victoria's reign was in its maturity we would have experienced our town going through a period of unprecedented growth; new houses, mills, workshops, schools, parks, etc. through the borough.

The Established Church was no different. St Catherine's was built in 1897, St Margaret's in 1898 and St Cuthbert's in 1906. These churches were constructed to serve new communities in the developing part of the borough and Rosegrove was no different. In fact this part of Burnley, initially because of the expansion of the activities associated with the railways, was enjoying a considerable measure of success. This was bolstered by the decision of significant Burnley firms to relocate to Rosegrove.

Among the first to arrive was the textile engineering firm of Butterworth and Dickinson, which had been founded in Saunder Bank in c1780. They occupied new premises in Liverpool Road from 1889. Harling and Todd (1844), great rivals of "Butts and Dicks", moved from their Calder foundry in Hammerton Street to the Rosegrove Iron Works in 1908.

In addition to these famous workshops a number of mills were built and the consequence was there was a great deal of optimism about the continuing expansion of Rosegrove. It was understood that, though served by All Saints Habergham, the area needed a church of its own.
Communications between Rosegrove and Padiham Road, the location of All Saints, were not good as they were reliant on the narrow Kiddrow Lane and the vagaries of the weather.

The answer was to build an Anglican church in Rosegrove itself and a small committee, which had the support of the vicar of All Saints, was set up in 1907. A plot of land had been made available by Arthur Dugdale of Lowerhouse Mills and though this, his first grant, proved not to be satisfactory he quickly agreed to another. This was situated at the corner of Liverpool Road and Owen Street and a small corrugated iron building, costing only £215, was opened on April 4th, 1908, by Mrs Arthur Dugdale.

The building had the status of a Mission Church dedicated to St Mark but within the Parish of All Saints. This means the vicar of All Saints was responsible for the congregation which met there, though his curate often took the services. The new Mission Church proved to be an instant success with larger than expected numbers attending its services.

However, less than a year later, the infant body was struck by the sort of disaster from which many similar organisations fail to recover.
A fire, in January 1909, almost destroyed the building but both the vicar and congregation, unbowed, resolved to rebuild and better than before. They decided to re-use the existing nave and the chosen medium of construction remain corrugated iron. Extensions were added at the eastern end (a 6ft chancel) and a further 20ft to the western end of the project completed with belfry and two vestries. An organ was installed in 1910.

Things, superficially looked good for the new Mission Church. It was not realised, though, that the high water mark had already been reached for St Mark's at Rosegrove. Within four years the Great War started and by the end of it, the optimism which had impelled the people of Rosegrove to build their own Anglican place of worship had come to an end.

The population of Burnley, as a whole, started the decline which has continued unabated ever since. Similarly, the plots of land upon which new houses and workshops were confidently expected before the war were not developed. Plans for a permanent building in Rosegrove were dropped but the congregation at St Mark's were still interested in undertaking this task.

It was not until 1956 that the Mission was granted its own Priest in Charge. Three years later, parts of the parishes of All Saints Habergham, St Matthew's, Holy Trinity and St John's Gannow, were assigned to St Mark's. The plan to build what is now St Mark's, in Rossendale Road, could be put into effect.

Work started in 1961 with the foundation stone laid a year later. St Mark's was opened in 1963 with the consecration of the church taking place on March 6th, 1965.

A case of the success of hope over adversity? The Christian faith has numerous examples of such stories but I think you will agree it certainly applies at St Mark's.

The congregation has organised a number of events for the coming weekend with a special service on Friday (April 4th) at 7-30 p.m. at which the Bishop of Burnley will be the principal celebrant. All those with connections to St Mark's will be made welcome to the service and at the event in the church hall afterwards.

Lastly, I would like to hear from you if you have any photos of any of the three churches which have been dedicated to St Mark's. With your permission copies could be taken for the church, the originals returned to you.

Picture: St Mark's Church, Rossendale Road.