Part-time Incumbent St Martin's, Ashton Upon Mersey, Sale

Part-Time Incumbent of

Ashton-upon-Mersey, St Martin, Sale

The Society for the Maintenance of the Faith is seeking to appoint a part-time incumbent to the parish of Ashton-upon-Mersey, St Martin.

St. Martin’s is a friendly, caring church family in the modern Anglo-Catholic tradition where everyone is welcome. We are looking forward to the next stage of our journey and sharing it with a new Rector. We are praying for a person of faith, with a spirituality anchored in the sacraments, who will be among us as a pastor and leader, and a person who will inspire us so that together we can further God’s kingdom in the parish.

Situated on the northern edge of beautiful Cheshire countryside, close to Sale and within easy reach of Manchester and with excellent transport links, Ashton-Upon-Mersey has a population of approximately six and a half thousand, yet retains a village feel.

• An engaging and visible incumbent who will maintain our Anglo-Catholic identity
• A collaborative worker who can nurture our lay ministry
• Someone committed to pastoral work from cradle to grave
• A leader who can see potential in people, buildings, and resources

• A four-bed Rectory with spacious kitchen, enclosed rear-garden, off-road parking. Only two minutes walk from: church & hall, village centre, local infant and primary schools. Good transport links – Metrolink to Manchester city centre and beyond; good motorway links via the M60
• A friendly and sociable church family keen to welcome you and work with you.
• Support from an active team of volunteers including Churchwardens, PCC, Ministry Team, and Verger
• Leading and developing worship in a beautiful historic church dating back to 1304
• In exchange for working part-time (Four days per week plus Sunday morning services) you will receive housing and 60% of a stipend.
• Accommodation is offered in a spacious four-bedroom, detached Rectory just a few minutes walk from the church.

This post is open to women and to men, and we will particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Applicants are required to submit relevant safeguarding training certificates with their applications.

The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We will not shortlist candidates unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post.

Candidates are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.

The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border.

The overall population is around 1.6 million.

The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.

The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.

The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries:

Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.

Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton.

Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.

• Closing date:
  Monday 28th September 2026
• Shortlisting:
  Thursday 1st October 2026
• Interviews:
  Tuesday 20th October 2026