THE Bishop of Manchester will visit Bury to open a new Christian bookshop and cafe at the town’s parish church.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, together with around 100 clergy, teachers and other guests, will be invited to the opening ceremony to be conducted by the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch on Tuesday.

Because Bury Parish Church is located on The Rock, the name of the bookshop and cafe is The House on The Rock.

The church raised more than £300,000 during its “Step Inside” appeal to rebuild the organ, to improve the heating, sound and lighting systems and to provide space for the only independent Christian bookshop in the town.

The shop and cafe, located just inside the main church entrance, are open daily, except Tuesdays and Sundays.

Both the bookshop and cafe are run separately from the church by manager, Nigel Rushworth, who hopes to attract town centre workers, shoppers and tourists. He said: “I am delighted to be providing a source of quality Christian books, gifts, cards and Fair Trade products which we also use in the coffee shop.”

Rector of Bury, the Rev John Findon, said: “This creates an important opportunity to use the church as a resource for the community. Many local people have never been inside this building and we hope that they will find it a pleasure to do so.

“We are delighted that the Bishop has agreed to mark the official opening, the culmination of much effort by fundraisers, the congregation, craftsmen and our manager.”