History

Around the year 1819, there were riots in Stockingford. Workers from home in the Stockingford hosiery industry were informed that the wages payable to them were to be reduced. They took to the streets in protest and the local militia were brought in to deal with the unrest.

From these beginnings St.Paul’s Church began. The good people of St. Nicolas’ Church in Nuneaton decided that a ‘chapel of ease’ should be constructed on Paddiford Common in order to put the fear of God into Stockingford folk!

So in 1822 work began on the building, and in 1824 St. Paul’s Church in Stockingford was officially opened. Since that date it has offered services to the people of this parish. Many families over the years have come for services of celebration of Marriage and Baptism, and also at sad moments for family funerals.

St. Paul’s has provided a Parish Church for the local community of Stockingford over many generations. Today, it is a very friendly and welcoming Church where one feels a real warmth of acceptance for all. We hope that, through this website, this open, warm welcome shines forth. The Church is a very active place of worship encouraging and welcoming people of all ages. We are a family Church and a friendly Church.

In 1995, St. Paul’s Church extended into the community, with the addition of the Church Centre. This extension was built at the south side of the Church, with funds raised by the people of Stockingford, supported by an EU grant.

Work on re-ordering the Church building began in September 2008, involving the removal of the pews, the restyling of the Church interior, and the creation of a Church Hall for use by local community groups. The old organ was taken out, piece by piece, loaded onto a lorry and was taken to Dijon (France) where it has been rebuilt within a Catholic church reopened after 25 years.

We need to record our thanks to WREN who have given a grant of £50,000 towards the fund for the re-ordering, helping to pay for the community aspects of the new build.  WREN grants are available towards the costs of community based projects within areas close to landfill sites (such as Judkins). Further information about WREN, and how to apply for grants can be found at www.wren.org.uk

See also our Wikipedia entry