Charminster: St Mary the Virgin, Charminster
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Charminster: St Mary the Virgin, Charminster
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Situated at the heart of the village, where a number of footpaths cross, casual visitors are rarely alone for long: one of the clergy will drop in on an errand, the vergers, brass polishers and flowers arrangers will be busy doing something or a villager will be tending the churchyard....and generally all will be happy to have a chat or leave you to pray in peace.
The warm Ham stone symbolises the warm welcome you can expect at Charminster ....also one of the best heated churches in Dorset.
The building was fortunate in having a sympathetic Victorian restoration. Similarly today the parish enjoys disabled access, a servery and up to date toilet facilities that enhance the building and enable it to be well used.
With its ten bells, fully restored organ and immaculate churchyard with the river running by St Mary's is ideal for weddings. Contact the vicar to arrange.
Look out for 'The Pilot,' the excellent parish magazine which goes free of charge 12 times a year to all 1500 households in the Benefice. The Pilot, supplemented by the weekly Pew News, carries all the latest details of services, concerts and events arranged in the church together with all the contact numbers that anyone planning to visit or move to Charminster will need.
The warm Ham stone symbolises the warm welcome you can expect at Charminster ....also one of the best heated churches in Dorset.
The building was fortunate in having a sympathetic Victorian restoration. Similarly today the parish enjoys disabled access, a servery and up to date toilet facilities that enhance the building and enable it to be well used.
With its ten bells, fully restored organ and immaculate churchyard with the river running by St Mary's is ideal for weddings. Contact the vicar to arrange.
Look out for 'The Pilot,' the excellent parish magazine which goes free of charge 12 times a year to all 1500 households in the Benefice. The Pilot, supplemented by the weekly Pew News, carries all the latest details of services, concerts and events arranged in the church together with all the contact numbers that anyone planning to visit or move to Charminster will need.
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Rev Janet Smith
To contact the Curate [Wendy Fobister], Associate Ministers [Hugh Willis & Dick Luther] and Lay Minister [Peter Woods] please see 'The Pilot' parish magazine.
- Regular Services and Events
Sunday
Holy Communion
BCP normally. No hymns or sermon. Held in the south aisle.
Every Sunday at 8:00 AM for ½ hour
BCP normally. No hymns or sermon. Held in the south aisle.
Every Sunday at 8:00 AM for ½ hour
Morning Worship for All
Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. A well-established, non-eucharistic service on a theme. Shorter than the services on other Sundays, it was originally designed to appeal to families and the un-churched; some elements of the communion service are incorporated so that they become familiar. Children are encouraged to stay with their parents throughout but specific activities are also often on offer in the play corner. May be replaced by another service for special occasions; see other events below.
Every first Sunday at 9:30 AM for 50 minutes
Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. A well-established, non-eucharistic service on a theme. Shorter than the services on other Sundays, it was originally designed to appeal to families and the un-churched; some elements of the communion service are incorporated so that they become familiar. Children are encouraged to stay with their parents throughout but specific activities are also often on offer in the play corner. May be replaced by another service for special occasions; see other events below.
Every first Sunday at 9:30 AM for 50 minutes
Sung Eucharist
Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. Common Worship with sermon, using an easy-to-sing musical setting and hymns from Common Praise. Sunday School is simultaneously held in Church House - NW corner of churchyard. Children join service for the Communion and may choose to go to the altar rail with their family or with the rest of Sunday School (make sure they know what you want them to do). Anyone who takes bread & wine in their own church, including children, are invited to the table. Others may request a blessing. Celebrant will usually be the Vicar. Ordained local minsters, retired priests and guest preachers are not uncommon but consistency is maintained. Visitors can expect to be welcomed by sidespeople on arrival, greeted at the peace and invited for coffee afterwards. Please see below for alternative arrangements on festival days.
Every second third and fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour
Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. Common Worship with sermon, using an easy-to-sing musical setting and hymns from Common Praise. Sunday School is simultaneously held in Church House - NW corner of churchyard. Children join service for the Communion and may choose to go to the altar rail with their family or with the rest of Sunday School (make sure they know what you want them to do). Anyone who takes bread & wine in their own church, including children, are invited to the table. Others may request a blessing. Celebrant will usually be the Vicar. Ordained local minsters, retired priests and guest preachers are not uncommon but consistency is maintained. Visitors can expect to be welcomed by sidespeople on arrival, greeted at the peace and invited for coffee afterwards. Please see below for alternative arrangements on festival days.
Every second third and fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour
Evening
There is an evening service almost every week except in August; occasionally transferred to Stinsford on Fifth Sundays or cancelled (rarely). Bellringing begins at 5.45pm - visiting ringers welcome [GF] - link below. Eucharistic (CW) services are most likely to be held on the 1st Sunday. 4th Sundays usually involve singing favourite hymns and a guest speaker - look out for details of special events. Otherwise expect Evensong with sermon. Refreshments are sometimes served afterwards.
Every Sunday at 6:30 PM for 1 hour
There is an evening service almost every week except in August; occasionally transferred to Stinsford on Fifth Sundays or cancelled (rarely). Bellringing begins at 5.45pm - visiting ringers welcome [GF] - link below. Eucharistic (CW) services are most likely to be held on the 1st Sunday. 4th Sundays usually involve singing favourite hymns and a guest speaker - look out for details of special events. Otherwise expect Evensong with sermon. Refreshments are sometimes served afterwards.
Every Sunday at 6:30 PM for 1 hour
Thursday
Service
Holy Communion: Common Worship normally. Held in the south aisle or occasionally at other venues in the parish - contact vicar to enquire or see local notices. May include a hymn and short homily. Mothers Union members are often in attendance. Sometimes followed by coffee and book exchange.
Weekly but see local notices for arrangements around Christmas/New Year. every Thursday at 10:00 AM for ½ hour
Holy Communion: Common Worship normally. Held in the south aisle or occasionally at other venues in the parish - contact vicar to enquire or see local notices. May include a hymn and short homily. Mothers Union members are often in attendance. Sometimes followed by coffee and book exchange.
Weekly but see local notices for arrangements around Christmas/New Year. every Thursday at 10:00 AM for ½ hour
Other information
A Church Near You ID: 9489
Built: Mediaeval
Style of worship: As a rural, village church, all traditions are welcome
Built: Mediaeval
Style of worship: As a rural, village church, all traditions are welcome
Archdeaconry: SHERBORNE (341)
Deanery: DORCHESTER (34102)
Benefice: Charminster and Stinsford (34/078BF)
Parish Legal Name: CHARMINSTER (340035)
Basic Parish information (34/35)