Welcoming - In response to Christ's welcome, Sanctus 1 aims to be welcoming to all people. We therefore aim to reflect a diversity of theology and experience from all walks of life.
Serving - Our community is able to function and flourish by following the example of Jesus who served others.
Rooted - Sanctus 1 is a Christian community which interacts with the Bible as we recognise God's unique presence within it. We draw from a rich vein of Christian tradition across denominations, including the Nicene Creed.
Missional - We believe that God is already active in our world, and we aim to join with God in God's ongoing mission. This means we are engaged in the changes happening in Manchester and the wider world.
Sanctus 1 is a Christian community with an emerging church tradition that explores faith in an urban cultural context.
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.
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?
In 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 met at Nexus Art Cafe, below Manchester Central Hall, for several years until Dec 2024.
Nexus Art Cafe closed during Covid and did not re-open, but we have still used some of the space for meetings. In Autumn 2024 we decided to move out of the basement that had been our home and look else where. Please click here to find out what is happening.
Our Vision is of a church where...
...we are missional:
Reaching those feeling disenfranchised by “Church”.
Outward looking
Talking openly
Being fun and interactive.
Taking Sanctus to others.
Being transient and consistent.
Communicating.
Making our presence felt.
Sharing a unique appeal.
...we want to form relationships:
Bring together thoughtful people.
Develop strength through small groups.
Talk about God and God’s love for us.
Because both adults and children need to have community and friendships.
To gain greater understanding of the Bible from each other.
...we offer services that provide
A different way to worship.
Ways of seeking God.
Discussion and different points of view.
Diversity of topics
Creativity and artfulness.
Experiential times.
Shared food.
Contemporary media.
Somewhere for those that don’t get traditional church.
No communal singing!
...we would like to grow:
To be diverse.
To bring richness
Because it is essential to survival
Because there is strength in numbers.
For the most up to date details of when and where we are meeting please look at our Facebook page: