Canon Neil Kelley – Rector

Fr. Neil has been Rector of St Laurence’s since October 2017 (and Priest in Charge of St. Peter’s, Chorley in 2021) having moved from the Parish of Bushey (Herts). Before Bushey, Fr Neil served the Liverpool Diocese for fifteen years as a Parish Priest, Diocesan Advisor on Liturgy & Worship and member of the Diocesan Church Growth Team.

Fr. Neil is passionate about people engaging with Christ through inclusive worship and daily discipleship. When he’s off duty, he can be found playing the piano (his professional hobby), enjoying time with friends and walking with his black Labrador, Oscar.

Fr. Neil is Assistant Archdeacon (with responsibility for Clergy wellbeing), Diocesan Healing Advisor and, when required, Chaplain to the Mayor of Chorley. He was made an Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral in February 2024.

01257 266037 / 07980 872203               rector@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Fr. Cornelius Asghar – Curate

Cornelius grew up in the northern part of Pakistan, and has had 20 years of experience in the Education and Development Sector.

The Urban Ministry Course (M:POWER) reintroduced him to God as a loving father through our Saviour Jesus Christ. While serving the Church in Blackpool as an ALM, Cornelius sensed that Jesus was calling him to serve His people in addition to being one of His disciples. As a result, his sense of calling to the ordained ministry changed into a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Cornelius is currently a full-time Curate (assistant clergy) and his hobbies are cooking (trying new recipes), going around nature walks, reading and chatting with people. 

07592 838726

                                                                        cornelius@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Phil Hall – Authorised Lay Minister

Phil Hall has been a member of St. Laurence Church for over 30 years having previously been heavily involved in his church in Bolton. Phil served a total of seven years as churchwarden and is currently part of the pastoral visiting team, with a particular interest in later life ministry.

Phil has three children and eight grandchildren, ages ranging from 22 years old down to the youngest at nine months old. Other than family, Phil is passionate about football and cricket and is a season ticket holder with Chorley Football Club and a member of Chorley Cricket Club. Phil also enjoys brewing his own wine and cider.

01257 415602

Tony Checker – Authorised Lay Minister

Tony was a commercial electrician and is now an area sales engineer, based in Liverpool. Tony first came to St. Laurence’s in 2011 and in his time here has been a bellringer, Alpha Course leader, PCC member, Altar server, and Eucharistic Minister. Earlier this year Tony became training as an ALM

Tony has two two adult children and in his spare time enjoys woodworking, chess, guitars (music with loud guitars), curry & beer.

01257 231360                                                  alpha@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Neal Bennet-Williams – Authorised Lay Minister

 Neal Joined St. Laurence’s in 2020 after attending an Alpha course. He is a Community Ministry Lay Minister. Neal has a passion to work within the Local Community promoting the Bible and our Church.

Neal was in the RAF for a number of years and now works as a Quality Engineer in the Aerospace industry.

Neal likes to spend time with his wife, Sue and Dan the Border Collie. He has a number of hobbies the latest of which is restoring a 38 year old Sinclair C5 Electric car. You may see him around town on it if he’s successful!

07368 410982                                                 hands@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Mandy Stanton – Rector’s PA

Mandy was born in Birmingham, and lived in the Midlands until 2013, when she moved to Lancashire to take on the role of Lay Ministry Officer for Blackburn Diocese, a job which she did until 2020. Mandy currently works part time as PA to the Area Dean of Leyland in addition to her work for St. Laurence’s. 

Mandy lives in Fulwood with her cat, Eevee, and is an Licensed Lay Minister at Christ Church Fulwood. You can sometimes see Mandy on stage with the St Ambrose Players, Leyland!

07704 036049                                 pa@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Natalie Print – Parish Administrator

Natalie’s working background is mostly in administration, including for a church, in doctors’ surgeries and for an adult education college. Natalie has volunteered in churches for a number of years and is pleased to take up the more formal role of Parish Administrator at St Laurence’s to support the church’s ministry to the people of Chorley.

Natalie is married to Mike and she spends most of her time looking after their three year old daughter. Natalie is involved in Sunday Club and the toddler group at St George’s Church, where Mike is vicar, and enjoys finding time to read, watch boxsets, and meet up with friends.

01257 231360                                    office@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Nicola Pilkington – Safeguarding Officer

Nicola has worked in education for over thirteen years and is due to start her first headship in Penwortham in January. Throughout her teaching career, Nicola has worked at four church schools and been the safeguarding lead for the past eight years. It has always been a passion of Nicola’s to share examples from the Bible with her pupils and discuss how Jesus, as our ultimate role model, can help help pupils make good choices.

Nicola lives with her husband Andy and her beautiful, two year old daughter Beatrice, who keeps them both very busy with her ‘good ideas’.

07736 312859                                             safeguarding@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Alan Winstanley – Director of Music

Alan first began learning the organ at Wigan Parish Church with David Cutter and while in the sixth form at the Deanery High School he was a member of the British Youth Choir. He furthered his studies at London College of Music with Gordon Phillips. He was appointed organist at St Peter’s Notting Hill Gate and after graduating undertook a PGCE at King Alfred’s College, Winchester.  In September 1982 he took up his first teaching post at UpHolland High School. In August of that year Alan was appointed Organist at St. Laurence’s. In 1986 he became Head of Music at Ormskirk Grammar School and in 1996 was promoted to be in charge of the Arts Faculty. The school merged in 2001 with Cross Hall High School to form Ormskirk School.

After 28 years at the school Alan took early retirement in July 2014.  Alan was Conductor of the St Nicholas Singers and for the last thirteen years has been Conductor of the Chorley Choral Society. Alan is a senior examiner for AQA Examination Board for A level music.

01257 241995                                                   alan@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Rachel

CAP Debt Centre Manager

and Wellness Hub Coordinator

07541 077716

                                                                        wellness@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Jill Smith – Project Administrator

Jill began her career working as an IT Consultant after studying for a degree in Information Systems at Leeds University.  In more recent years and to fit in with family life she has worked in part time administrative roles and spent a number of years working at Blackburn Diocese as a HR Administrator.  Jill also has many years service working as a volunteer in local church where she has helped as a youth leader, house group leader, occasional preacher and PCC member to name but a few! She now attends St Saviours church in Bamber Bridge.

Originally growing up in Higher Walton Jill now lives in Whittle- le-Woods with her husband Lee and their three teenage children Lauren, Evie and Luke.  In her spare time she loves gardening, baking, spending time with family and friends and going for long walks with her little dog Rosie!

07526 341779

                                                                        jill@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Irene Preston – Operations Manager

Irene has just completed her PhD in English language at UCLan, where she had been a student since 2012. After a varied career in catering, clerical and care work, Irene suffered a breakdown but has seen how The Lord used this to change her path to academia.

She is a committed Christian, having been a member of Chorley Street pastors for around 6 years and also heavily involved in activities at Clayton brook Community Church near to where she lived.

Irene has 2 grown-up daughters and 2 teenage grandsons who she likes to spend as much time with as possible. She also loves Lego, travelling and learning languages. 

Irene recently married Vic and they are enjoying making a new home for themselves in Chorley town centre.

07518 618311                                            ops@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Justin Stretch – Digital Content Manager

Justin was appointed as Digital Content Manager in the Summer of 2020. He is passionate about worship and creating online content that brings glory to God. 

As well as being Digital Content Manager, Justin also sings and plays keyboard for the Worship Band.  In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing and recording worship songs, stroking his cat, blubell, flying his drone and cooking.

07566 218703                                                  justin@stlaurencechorley.co.uk