大象传媒

Good morning,

100 years ago John Jowitt Wilson went to be the Rector of St Michael and All Angels, Angel Meadow in Manchester. I still use his well-thumbed Prayer Book.

He was Rector there until 1927, dying, "worn out", a year later. He gave himself totally to the people and parish. The Manchester City News described him as: "the stalwart figure, with the big, kind genial face, so well known to every man, woman and child in Saint Michael's parish."

Lowry, whose exhibition at the Tate Britain is currently pulling the crowds, knew this area well. Indeed two of his paintings on display, "Britain at Play" and "View of a Town", are dominated by views of St Michael鈥檚.

Angel Meadow was one of the poorest areas in Manchester with the smelly River Irk, the flea-ridden lodging houses and people in rags living in cellars.

The churchyard, known as St Michael鈥檚 Flags was so named because it was covered by flagstones marking the graves of 40,000 paupers. Within the parish Sharp Street and Charter Street Ragged Schools, providing free education for destitute children, became by-words for the church鈥檚 care of those in need.

St Michael鈥檚 is now long since demolished. The flags now have become a beautiful park, an oasis of peace near the city centre. Moreover, the memory of John Jowitt Wilson, and many like him, remains an inspiration.

May we be inspired by his example to serve and care for the poor and those in greatest need. Amen.