What is Sanctus 1?

What are we?

Sanctus 1 is a Christian community with an emerging church tradition that explores faith in an urban cultural context.

When do we meet?

Sanctus Cathedral3

We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, gathering around 6.45pm 

What do we believe?

We are an inclusive Christian community and believe that God is not defined by theology. As a Christian community, Sanctus 1 is made up of people who are either committed to, or are exploring a journey into, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and with one another. We recognise God's indefinable presence in music, film, arts and other key areas of contemporary culture. We welcome all equally regardless of race, creed, gender, economic status, cultural background or sexual orientation.

As a community we have shared values: Welcoming, Serving, Rooted and Missional.  More about our values here.

In 2016 we reassessed our values and considered our vision.  

Our vision is of a church where...

  • We are missional.
  • We want to form relationships
  • We offer services that provide a different way to worship.
  • We would like to grow.

For more detail about what these visionary ideas involve please click here.

What is our history?

Sanctus Cathedral6In some ways, we started as remnants of that ancient tradition of Alternative Worship from the late '80s / early '90s. We were also inspired by Dave Tomlinson's Post-Evangelical.

We held our first public act of worship at Manchester Cathedral in January 2002. We have met at the cathedral, at Sacred Trinity in Salford and at various city centre venues (usually ones that serve beer). We now meet at Nexus Art Cafe.

In 2009, Sanctus 1's founder Ben Edson moved on, and our paid minister is now Al Lowe. Read more from Al on the Fresh Expressions website.

Guarding policy

This is our protection policy:

At Sanctus 1, we are concerned with the wholeness of each individual and seek to safeguard all members of our community, of all ages. We each have a duty of care to prevent the neglect and physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to report known or suspected abuse.

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