St Mary's Church in Cleator host annual pilgrimage

The service was held on Sunday, September 11, at 3pm with crowds gathering to hear a special service from bishop Paul Swarbrick. 

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Unfortunately, the service was cut short due to the poor weather on the day, but thankfully attendees were able to receive communion and join in on several hymns and prayers.

Some of those who came along also headed back to the church's parish room after the service to enjoy drinks and refreshments and celebrate the special day. 

Crowds gather at the grotto (Image: Newsquest)

Father Paul Johnstone said: "I'm very sad that the rain came on when it did because obviously it cut everything short. But people still love to be gathered and to be trying to pray together and worship together.

"It was also nice for us all to be gathered around our bishop in service, which is always good. 

"It was a nice service, but it was a shame that we weren't able to do it in full because of the weather. 

"It's definitely a good thing for the community and the wider community as there's people here from Lancashire and all sorts of different places. So, people from different parts of Cumbria and Lancashire have gathered today."

The inside of St Mary's Church was also decorated with an array of beautiful flowers to mark the Pilgrimage. 

Flowers inside the church (Image: Newsquest)

At the beginning of the service a minute’s silence was held in memory of Her Majesty the Queen who sadly passed away earlier in the week. 

The church's union jack flag was also flown at half-mast as a sign of respect. 

In years passed Cleator Moor was an area hit by high rates of unemployment and poverty. 

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The parish priest at the time, Father Clayton, bought some land adjoining the church and asked for volunteers to build a replica of the grotto of Lourdes.

The volunteers who helped were paid in vouchers of food and clothing. In 1927 the grotto was opened and became a place of pilgrimage for people across the area.