A Wigan church celebrates 150 years with historic heritage exhibition and spectacular art installation
Birthday celebrations taking place at a Wigan church on Saturday October 31 features a captivating line up designed to bring the community together, including a spectacular paper bird art installation created by acclaimed artist Brian Whitmore.
St Elizabeth’s Church in Aspull is opening its doors for a monumental milestone event, inviting the entire community to celebrate 150 years of faith, heritage, and community.
The “Past & Present” Heritage Exhibition will take place on Saturday October 31, from 10am to 4pm, offering an immersive look into the rich tapestry of Aspull’s history.
Under the banner of “Different generations, shared stories, a brighter tomorrow”, the free event features a captivating line up designed to bring the community together.
Central to the exhibition is The Aspull Murmuration, a spectacular paper bird art installation suspended inside the church’s stunning interior, created by acclaimed artist Brian Whitmore.
The installation consists of over 500 paper birds, created by members of the community and assisted by volunteers.
Brian said: “Each bird has a calligraphic tag which I’ve written regarding people’s thoughts on love, community and the church.
“It all came about when they had a meeting and Neil Cook, one of the head vicars for the area, likened religion and community to a murmuration, I had done a murmuration before so that inspired the idea.”
In addition to the visual art, visitors can enjoy live Spoken Word Performances by Joe Whitmore, with scheduled performances taking place throughout the day at 1pm, 1.30pm, and 2pm.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the story of Aspull through an extensive display of photographs, archives, and memories.
The exhibition honours the local area’s roots, with dedicated sections celebrating:
- St Elizabeth’s Church over the last century and a half
- Aspull Village history
- The region’s deep coal mining heritage (including Aspull Colliery)
- Local families and community life
- The past, present, and future of the community
Event organiser Ruth Atherton, who has spearheaded the community celebrations, expressed her excitement for the public to share in the experience.
She said: “This is a really special time for the church and the whole community.
“We hope as many people will come and appreciate the fantastic church and the murmuration. It is a wonderful space to honour our past while forging our future, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone to share these stories.”
The exhibition offers free admission and everyone is welcome to attend.