A former history teacher is making history for Sandbach's historic town centre church - as she starts a new chapter in its life.

St Mary's Church in Sandbach is launching a toddler group, 'Tiddlers', next month and the church's new curate is the brains behind it.

St Mary's Church, Sandbach

Rev Jayne Manfredi took up her new role at St Mary's Church last month and one of her first projects was to launch a toddler group.

But the toddler group will hold a special place in Rev Manfredi's heart, for it's thanks to the very concept that the mother-of-four is a curate.

"I went along to a toddler group with my own children and met a wonderful woman who had been raised in the church," explained Rev Manfredi from Crewe.

"That set me thinking and I explored religion a bit more and here I am.

"I attended theology college in Birmingham for four years and was ordained by the Bishop at Chester Cathedral in July."

Rev Manfredi, who grew up in Crewe, told how she realised the power of religion when her husband was made redundant and she had a miscarriage in the same week.

"I knocked on the door of the vicar of the church where I had been attending the toddler group and spoke with him," she said.

St Mary's vicar, Rev Bee Boyde with curate Rev Jayne Manfredi

"I went home and my husband remarked how that it looked like I had been lit up from inside. It was a turning point and I saw how God had entered into other people's lives."

Rev Manfredi, 43, has four children of her own - aged from 18, 14, 12 and 9 – and has become a familiar face around St Mary's, working alongside vicar, Rev Bee Boyde.

"It's a wonderful church and town. There is so much potential and I have been made to feel so welcome," she said.

"I am so proud to be doing what I am doing. It's been a difficult couple of years for everyone but we're here to help and provide support." 

Rev Manfredi says she's overwhelmed with the generosity of toy donations for the new toddler group.

Rev Manfredi with some of the donated toys

Sandbach Nub News ran a story appealing for toys and some of the donations are a result of that story.

"Everyone's response has been wonderful. I can't thank people enough.

"We've had some amazing donations from a ride-on tractor, to dolls, pushchairs and toy kitchens," said Rev Manfredi.

Rev Manfredi preached at St Mary's for the first-time last month and it's not just in church where parishioners will hear her voice.

For Rev Manfredi appears from time-to-time on BBC Radio 4's 'Thought for the Day'.

During the Euros, she spoke about racism and no doubt will be asked to speak again in the future about another subject.   

The new toddler group, 'Tiddlers', starts on Monday, September 26th and will take place in St Mary's Church Hall from 9 am – 10.30 am. It takes place during term time and all are welcome.