The St. Francis Story
1953 FORWARD
“As a local church on the Mackworth estate, we long to see St. Francis Mackworth as a light on the hill for the estate and as a living and vibrant centre of Mackworth once again.”
1953
St. Francis Mackworth began in a wooden hut on Brackensdale Avenue on the 4th of October 1953. It adopted St. Francis of Assisi as it’s patron and a few years later a new church was built on the Estate by the Diocese of Derby.
1966
In 1966 a new families centre was built on the side of the church. This has an incredible history of being the centrepiece of the estate’s life.
However in recent years the centre was being successfully run by Mackworth Estate Community Association (MECA) and the church had come to be made up of a small group of faithful people.
2017
In September 2017, the Rt. Rev. Alastair Redfearn, Bishop of Derby, invited a team from Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) church in London, to open the derelict church of St. Werburgh's on Friar Gate, to restart the church in the heart of Derby.
2017
The Rev. Andy Bond, together with his wife Rachel and their two children moved from Holy Trinity SE20, to be part of St Werburgh's, knowing that they in turn would be looking to lead a church plant in the future. By February 2020 St Werburgh’s (@stwderby) had grown to 3 services on a Sunday with over 400 people coming each week with people of every age and stage of life.
2020
In 2020 the diocese of Derby invited Andy and Rachel together with their young family to lead a group of people from St Werburgh’s to help revitalise and re-energise St. Francis Mackworth.
2020
On the 20th July 2020 the first St Francis Mackworth service took place online due to Covid-19 restrictions under the leadership of Rev. Andy Bond.
2021
In July of 2021 after Covid lockdown restrictions had been lifted, St Francis Mackworth had their first in person service where they could sing for the first time in Church as well!
2021
For the first time since we planted infant baptisms and full immersion adult baptisms took place at Church!
2022
St Francis was growing with services at 9am and 10:30 with Kids and Youth Groups at every Modern service. This year also saw the launch of St Francis Football, Little Lights and Alpha being ran in person!
2023
In July of 2023 we had our first curate join St Francis! Peter and Rachel Dale and their family joined St Francis Mackworth from down south!
2024
As the Church continued to grow with a worshipping community now over 200. New ministries were launched such as Open Door, Schools Outreach and Residential Homes Outreach!
2024
As our children’s ministry continued to grow. Jenny Ryan was appointed our first ever children’s and Families Pastor!
2025
Our Easter Service in April 2025 saw over 270 people attend St Francis across 2 services! This month also saw the launch of our new 4pm service as the Church continued to grow and flourish!
