Fascinating photos give insight into the thriving Portuguese-speaking Manchester church
Photographer Phil Taylor was invited through the doors of Aviva Manchester Church to meet a Greater Manchester community united by language and faith.
Churches across Greater Manchester are able to give a helping hand to their fellow Christians by offering their premises for rent to ethnic minority congregations who want to worship in their own languages and styles.
One of those is the Portuguese-speaking Aviva Manchester Church, which can be found in the Kings Church Centre in Swinton on a Saturday night.
The congregation has grown rapidly, from a few people meeting in a park to around 150 who originally come from countries including Brazil, Portugal and Angola.
The worship is loud and lively and it is a Pentecostal church, with Pastor Luiz Missaglia leading the services.
Baptism is done by full immersion in a small portable pool brought in for the purpose, with only adults or older children who demonstrate their knowledge of what it means to follow the faith and be a Christian allowed to do it.
Photographer Phil Taylor found out about the Portuguese congregation and headed down with his camera to Aviva Manchester Church to see the worship for himself and meet the community united by faith and their common language.
He also took photos of an infant being dedicated and a new pastor and his wife being anointed with oil.
1. Aviva, Manchester Church, Swinton, Salford.
The church rents space at Kings Church Centre and has worship on a Saturday night. Photo: Phil Taylor
2. Aviva Manchester Church, Swinton, Salford.
Numbers have grown quickly from a small group meeting in a park to a congregation of around 150 people in the space of 12 months Photo: Phil Taylor
3. Aviva, Manchester Church, Swinton, Salford.
The congregation includes people originally from Brazil, Portugal and Angola, and worship is done in a loud, lively, Pentecostal style Photo: Phil Taylor
4. Aviva Manchester Church, Swinton, Salford
Pastor Luiz Missaglia holds the Bible as he stands in front of his congregation Photo: Phil Taylor