St Catherine’s Church is set in a secluded position on the edge of Sacombe Park, below the hamlet of Sacombe Green, and overlooking Sacombe Pound. It is a place of great tranquillity.

There was a clerk among the tenants of the manor in 1086, so it is probable that there was a church here at that time. The first Rector was recorded in 1217. The oldest parts of the present building, Grade 2* Listed, date back to the Early English period (1189-1280). We are working to increase our understanding of the Christian life of our predecessors in this small community and are always pleased to share the history of the church, of which there is ample evidence in documents and stone, some shown in the Picture Gallery below. Several colourful individuals in the commercial and political world of their day have shared this space with those who have sustained the community through their work in the fields.

The churchyard was designated a County Wildlife site, after a survey in 1996 that identified an unusually large number of species of flowers and grasses. We invite visitors to help us record the flora and fauna they observe.

PLEASE NOTE: The recent Exhibition,reviewed in "News", gave an opportunity to look forward as well as celebrating the church's history. Please help us by completing the questionnaire, printable from here.

Although the parish of Sacombe is the smallest within the St Albans Diocese,the church is very much alive. Since 2006 it has been part of the benefice of Standon and The Mundens with Sacombe.The three churches share regular worship based firmly on scriptural teaching. Members of all ages meet in a variety of other settings for study, discussion and prayer. Music is an important element in the life of the benefice – Sacombe and Little Munden share a choir which also meets regularly with Standon’s choristers.

Information about regular and special events can be seen in "News" on the right. There you'll find Benefice services "at a glance" on a single page that can be printed.

St Catherine's is a particularly appropriate setting for the benefice's monthly healing service, a quiet, prayerful opportunity to seek strength for our own or others' ailments or troubles.

May all who visit our ancient Church of St Catherine experience the peace of Jesus Christ, which has inspired the worship of Almighty God through the generations in Sacombe.

List of all services and events in this benefice

Other information