1957 to 1968

Organ Restoration

In 1962 the 91 year old organ, despite various overhauls, was in need of major renovation. Many of the parts were worn out and others out of date. Even saving a considerable sum by salvaging the good parts of the old organ the cost was estimated at £6000. Because of this and the need to have the console in proximity to the Choir, an electronic organ was considered. After trying one for a while it was decided that it in no way compared to an orthodox instrument. In 1964 it was therefore decided to replace the organ in the gallery with the console by the chancel step. Rushworth and Dreaper Ltd., of Liverpool, were commissioned to rebuild the organ.

After the Bishop of Chester had carried out the dedication ceremony on the Sunday afternoon of the 10th of January 1965, the evening was given over to a recital by Dr Leslie Paul, the organist at Bangor Cathedral.

He "revealed the lovely tone and range of our new organ and left us in no doubt that we now possess a very fine instrument worthy of our church. It was a day of thanksgiving and great rejoicing".

New Service Forms

By 1967 the predictions made by Mr Humphreys were now the facts of church life, about which the PCC would have to make a number of momentous decisions. The council discussed carefully the form of services to be used and the use of the modern translations of the Bible that could be understood by present day and future congregations.

At 8 o'clock in the evening of the 5th October, Mr Taylor explained the order of a revised communion service to a gathering of members of the church council and sidesmen. Then, with the help of his curate, the Rev R.W. Stephens, he administered the Holy Sacrament to 29 men and 11 ladies.

Four days later the PCC agreed to use the new communion service for a trial period of four years. From that decision there grew the willingness to accept other revisions of the old services and thirteen years later the adoption of the Alternative Service Book.

Mr Taylor's Retirement

At the beginning of 1968 Mr Taylor decided to accept the less strenuous living of Ashley, near Altrincham and on the 17th March preached his last sermon to a packed congregation who witnessed a very simple, but none-the-less moving ceremony, for after he had bestowed his blessing upon those present, the churchwardens, carrying their staves of office, slowly accompanied him from the chancel to the west door.

Mr Taylor's sincerity and the care which he took of both people and things made him a dearly loved pastor. He did not seek advancement in the diocese, but considered his primary duty was to serve his parishoners here at Norbury. Throughout his ministry he was ably assisted by his wife, Dora. During the period of his incumbancy in Hazel Grove he was able to attract a succession of curates who made a great contribution to the spiritual and social life of the parish. His passing in December 1977 was deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.